SAll you need is love... Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Beatles' break-up. Remember that, in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make. A ftoftd#.=, 'Baft KTS michigandaily.com /arts MONDAY APRIL 10, 2000 5A Gregarious director explores his film, humanity By Aaron Rich Daily Arts Writer Errol Morris is an extremely busy man, current- ly working on a television series and several com- mercial spots for corporations, not to mention all the press he's doing for his latest film, "Mr. Death The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr." and work for whatever his next film will be. He is espe- cially hard to track down for an interview. After canceling plans to fly to Detroit to speak with press about his new film because he could- n't leave his directing work in Boston, his office pushed our rescheduled interview back several times because he was in the middle of meetings surrounding his new television series, "First Person," for Bravo. Once on the phone, though, Morris demonstrated why his schedule is so hec- tic: He talks a lot and he's a really good talker. "Mr. Death" tells the story of Fred Lcuchter, a man who made a name for himself in the state execution world in the mid 1980s by fine tuning electric chairs, lethal injection machines, gal- lows and gas chambers for several states who needed their death devices fixed or rebuilt. His name appeared again in the late '80s when he was called ,as an expert witness in a case in Canada involving Ernst Zundel, a man who claimed the Holocaust was a myth. Leuchter was employed as an expert on gas chambers (because he had had limited design work on them in the U.S.) to go to Auschwitz- Birkenau, the Nazi concentration camp in Poland, to determine the exact nature of what are commonly known as gas chambers used for exe- cutions. Leuchter concluded that these were not gas chambers, partly due bad scientific work and partly due to questionable reasoning. Morris first read about Leuchter in the news regarding his domestic work on capitol execu- tion devices. He considered Leuchter as a sub- ject in a film, but concluded that there was "not enough story there." When the Zundel story came out a few years later, he had a realization. "These two stories of Holocaust denial and execution devices connected in one man. To not tell both stories together would be to miss the point,' Morris said. After working on and finishing another film, "Fast, Cheap and Out of Control" (1997), he began searching for somebody to put up the money to make a film about Leuchter. "People just did not want to pay to make this movie. They were just afraid of it. They did not know what would result from it and they were afraid of that fact," Morris said. "I tried to point out to one man who was talk- ing to me as if I was a Holocaust denier that there's a big difference between making a movie about a Holocaust denier and being one. I am a Jew. Im not a Holocaust denier. I've never doubted that the Holocaust happened - not even in my craziest moments. I did finally get the money about a year and a half ago, and I started work on the movie," Morris said. For the interviews, which make up the majority ofthe 90-minute runtime, Morris used an invention of his own that he likes to call the "Interatron." The machine works similarly to a teleprompter where the camera shoots the sub- ject from behind a glass panel on which, instead See MORRIS, Page 8A Errol Morris' cameras shoot Fred Leuchter, the subject of the new film "Mr. Death." Prophets get poetic at Michigan By Joe Chang Daily Arts Writer The Watts Prophets and guest Toni Blackman spoke to the hearts of the African-American community at the Michigan Theater. MRS I Talk Up/Not Down Michigan Theater April 8, 2000 Education driven, the performers tried to portray the soul of hip-hop music that the media has tainted over the years. With vari- ous hip-hop artists, student speakers and a great jazz band, The Watts Prophets produc- tion showed anoth- cr facet of hip-hop the inbred cul- ture, witty humor Blackman gave a passionate perfor- mance on stage. A woman of obvious dignity and pride, she identifies herself as the "woman voice for hip-hop" The lyrics to her songs were frank and true. She addressed issues of reality and love. Blackman stood in front of the audi- ence to use the "power of the word" to educate the public about what hip-hop is all about. Blackman truly redefined hip- hop as something soulful, spiritual and a genuine form of art. With guest perform- ers Dada and Boogieman Ghost joining her on stage. she improvised freestyle verse on topics thrown out by the audi- ence. Blackman sp-oke powerful words that made one think about the nature of the world we live in. The second half of the performance was focused on three men who have come to be reco-nized as The Watts Prophets. Richard Dedeux, Amade Hamilton and Otis O'Solomon came together to address more issues or real- izations of life these men found to be important. The trio began performing together in the 1960s through a writers workshop in the Watts community of Los Angeles. Although The Watts Prophets are not young men, they give off the energy of youth and liveliness in their performing style that captures the audience. Carrying themselves with casual class, the Watts Prophets enlighten the audience with words of wisdom. "if you treat life cool. it treats you cool. If you fool with life, it has no choice but to fool with you," was one of many statements made that night. The group also addressed issues such as death, money and the importance of each person taking responsibility to make changes in the world. The production really made the audi- ence walk out of the theater with thoughts and issues to think about. The Watts Prophets and Toni Blackman pro- vided an open door into a community that has endured oppression for years, a community that most people never have a chance to understand. In offering this insight, they also taught the audience to reevaluate their actions and appreciate the privileges that they have. I I Don'tH Panic! If ou think ou're pregnant... call us-we listen, we care. PROBLEM PREGNANCY HELP 975-4357 Any time, any day, 24 hours. Fully confidential, Serving Students since 1970. and deserved respect it has so longed for. The first half of the perfonnance was dedicated to the well-respected hip-hop artist Toni Blackman. An acclaimed rap lyricist, vocalist actress and writer, f Latin and Argentine Tango Club of Detroit proudly presents: S TODAY MARKS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEATLES' BREAKUP. REMEMBER, IN THE END, THE LOVE YOU TAKE IS EQUAL TO THE LOVE YOU MAKE. STUDENTS WITH CROHN'S DISEASE OR ULCERATIVE COLITIS Please join Dr. Ellen Zimmermann Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology, UofM Fn An infn alA riic:cicnn For more information call toll-free 1-877-PENNGSE Or visit our website at www.upenn.edu/gse Master's Degree with certification in Elementary or Secondary Education: " One year program (August-May) - Flat rate tuition of $25,000 - Intellectually rigorous program " Intensive field based experience An Ivy League education featuring extensive field work with an urban and international focus Live from Argentina And Folklore Argentino ai ge AUDITIONS FOR THE ORIENTATION SUMMER TROUPE Office of New Student Programs Do you like your voice to be heard? Do you love performing in front of crowds? Would like to get paid for making people laugh, think, learn? Res Rep Theatre troupe (AKA Summer Troupe) is holding auditions for this summer's orientation theatre program. This program performs to over 5000 incoming first-year students. For the last three years, it has been the top rated orientation progam- Indivduals interested in being a part of this 10 person ensemble will not only possess a passion for performing, but an understanding of how theatre can be used to inform, enlighten and teach. Individuals in the ensemble will not only assist in the development of the theatre piece, but will perform various roles throughout the summer's 34 show run (Sunday through Wednesday evenings) This opportunity is ideal for the student who either works or takes classes during the day. This is an evening commitment from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. NO previous acting experience required. Minorities are encouraged to audition. NO audition material required. Be prepared to stay the entire audition time. Auditions will be held Thursday, April 13, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. in the Main Lounge on the first floor of the South Quad (East side of South Quad) Lounge and call-backs are scheduled for 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. in the same location on Friday, April 14. Performances are 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from June 4*through August 7*h except for June 25th and July 2- 4. Rehearsals begin in May. Assistant Director Position: We are looking for an Assistant Director who Malambo and Boleadoras "The Obsession!" 12 Dancers plus musicians on stage Don't miss this exciting performance! Friday, April 28 7pm to 9pm Pease Auditorium Eastern Michigan university, Ypsilanti Call (734) 487-2282 for tix wwW.tickets.com For information call (313) 561-3236 AmyRay@mediaone net Admission $40 Students w/ ID. $25 Learn the Tango! Every t , Monday and every