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. 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