APPLE
GRILL
ASIAN CUISINE
A still from Don Hertzfeldt's
it's Such a Beautiful Day
Grand Opening
•
•
•
•
Gold
Annive
Contributing Writer
F
amed filmmakers George Lucas
and Brian De Palma have a pro-
fessional tie to Michigan. When
the two were launching their careers,
long before becoming famous, they sub-
mitted cinema projects to the Ann Arbor
Film Festival and achieved showings.
Donald Harrison,
AAFF executive direc-
tor as the annual
event celebrates its
50th year, believes
there are possible
icons of the future
among the emerging
AAFF
filmmakers whose
Executive
work will be screened
Director
March 27-April 1.
Donald
"We had some 2,700
Harrison
people send in films
for consideration in the
festival, and we're presenting about 225
submissions from around the world': says
Harrison, 39, who grew up in Southfield
and was affiliated with Congregation B'nai
David.
"We have watched a lot of really dynam-
ic, challenging, imaginative and surprising
work competing for more than $22,000 in
awards. There will be 47 programs, and
the short films, [which qualify for Oscar
nomination by the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences], are at the heart
and soul of the festival."
One of the opening night screenings
will be It Such a Beautiful Day, a 23-min-
ute animation by independent filmmaker
Don Hertzfeldt. The film, about a char-
acter dealing with mortality and looking
for what is uplifting, becomes existential,
spiritual, funny, sad and poignant in parts.
"Don Hertzfeldt, based in Austin,
came to the festival three years ago for
a special showing of his productions:'
Harrison says. "He works by himself
with hand-drawn animation."
As part of the milestone festival year,
there will be historic examples of ani-
mation as well as new projects.
"Beyond what we're formally screen-
ing will be 'The 50 Screens of the Ann
Arbor Film Festival:" says Harrison.
"There will be art pieces all over down-
town Ann Arbor that viewers can see for
free and that will be illuminated with
film and video.
"At the Work Gallery, 306 S. State,
there will be an art installation by
[experimental filmmaker] Phil
Solomon, who will be presenting a pro-
gram of his videos Friday evening at the
Michigan Theater."
Another program, "Poetic Injustice:
Short Films from the Arab World': covers
a number of topics, including civil war in
Lebanon. One of the selections, Chic Point,
imposes fashion show elements into a
visual statement about clothing examina-
tions at Israeli security checkpoints.
"I'm interested in engaging people
with creativity and the arts and getting
them in conversation': says Harrison,
who majored in social psychology at the
University of Michigan before working in
media arts management in California.
"We're very focused on filmmakers
as artists working outside of the com-
mercial constraints affecting films seen
in movie theaters. That leaves some of
the most thought-provoking and unusual
work for the longest-running indepen-
dent and experimental film festival in
North America."
One of Harrison's favorite self-imposed
tasks involves picking a film he believes
will be appreciated by his dad, Al
Harrison, 83, of Southfield.
"I'm recommending As Above, So
Below because it's a documentary that's
both accessible and highly thought-pro-
voking," Harrison says. "The filmmaker,
Sarah Christman, will be in attendance
so it's a great opportunity to hear about
the work directly from the artist.
"The documentary, about what hap-
pens to things no longer in use, is part of
a program that begins 7 p.m. Saturday,
March 31, in the smaller screening room
of the Michigan Theater."
The Ann Arbor Film Festival runs Tuesday-Sunday, March 27-April 1, based
at the Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor. $7-$10 single screen-
ings/$30-$50 opening night reception/$45-$55 weekend pass/$80-$95
festival pass. For a complete schedule, call (734) 995-5356 or visit www.
aafilmfest.org .
6700 Orchard Lake Rd.
BUY ONE
I
Ann Arbor Film Festival celebrates 50 years.
Suzanne Chessler
Our Famous Dishes
Pad Thai
• Vegetable
Pad Ped
Deluxe with
Rice Bowl
Chicken
Noodle Bowl
• General Tso's
Chicken
I
West Bloomfield Plaza
(3 doors down from Brody's)
I
X 2 48) 932-2889
U'
Sun-Thurs 4pm-9pm
Fri and Sat 4pm-9:30pm
ENTREE
GET ONE FREE
I
I
I
OF EQUAL OR LESSER VALUE.
GRILL
APPLE
AlArd CUISINE
With purchase of two drinks.
Not valid with any other offers.
Excludes tax. Expires 4/15/12
I
I.
Hours:
r
MN Mill MN INN NM INN
1111111111 111.111
$300
I
1
Off
A Family Diner
Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
any bill $18 or more
(248) 682-3400
4170 Orchard Lake Rd.
(near Pontiac Trail)
Orchard Lake, MI 48323
Monday Sunday
Tam - lOpm
(w/coupon
IL
MIN MIME
only)
OWN
Exp. 4/04/12
MINI MIN NMI MIN
a
"Consistently CifIliCi01.1b fil0(1 k; the driving force behind Sposita's success" Danny Raskin, Jan 5, 2012
SPOS1TA'S
RISTORANTE
Fine Italian Dining in a
Casual Atmosphere-
Sunda Thursda
15wo
OFF
15wo
OFF
TOTAL FOOD BILL II TOTAL FOOD BILL
;
I
10% off on Fri and Sat 11 10% off on Fri and Sat °
Not good with any other offer
Not
good Mtn any of
otter
I Good with coupon. Expires 4/30/12 t Good with coupon. Expires 4/30/12
I.
Excluded for the holidays
nu as ®
ICS .11
Excluded for the holidays
mmmmm 11 =====
nn
o
Mon - Thurs• 4pro - lOpm • Fri: 11am-11pm
Sat: 4pm-11pm • Sun: 4pm-9pm
Banquets
Weddings
o
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
(248) 538-8954
33210 W. 14 Mile Rd
In Simsbury Plaza, just east of Farmington Rd. 8
West Bloomfield
Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
Showers
Reunions Anniversaries
Birthdays
WE CATER AT MOST SYNAGOGUES,
fit`
TEMPLES, HOTELS AND THE HALLS OF YOUR
C ICE
CLASSIC CUISINE
Approved by Council
of Orthodox Rabbis
KOSHER
CATERERS
PHILIP TEE, food & Beverage Director
1118 661-4050
i
Hill
.arm.ngton.....s
March 2 1 -
2012
47