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2D - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - Tuesday, September 3, 2002
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4i niversity Activties
The University Activities Cen ter (UAC) is a student-runt programing organti-
to the lives of the students, faculty and staff 'In the University comun lity.
Organization-s under the IlIAC umbrella include:
.Amazin' Blue: A co-ed, purely a catpela singing ense thle, Amin'I)-Blue is the oldest
existing tunied-voice < a celagroutp at the LUnversty of Michigan,. An in' Blue puts 011 a i
Fall and Winter ocoet and have won mnany a cam je[La comlpetitionts. Their new a>lb" Rail -
lng the Ba-is now available.
The Michigan Every Three Weekfr A\ c eak e outlet fOr talented w rite rs,'The LWAS
is the Uanierstty'::i unesr satirical newspazper, and the reaiders t The Mtichig-an Daily voted LW i
the "Best Thing Abct Ann Arbor" For nmore informnation, please e-ma1Eilthtreewek:; @umirlch.
Consider: While vexyoneel ec is trying to make their opilnions heard and advancte their ownl
pC' o li azt ti cgnda, Cnider focus es on resenting a baanced eview t wvhatever issncis.
Mn lscussed. BecLan.e of its nonpartisan stantce, readers comleaway with enlough inforni:a- i
tion to forml their own opinions.
lsmpact Dance Theater; A dlance compa3ny lmadietup of nonl-dance nl iaors. The Lronp
peribrins all sorts of dunce rtns, includingjazz, rical, tap, ballet and Modern, in their own
studtent-choreographed pieces. The ttupJpel rorms one large show at LiaMendelssohn The-
zatre during Wtinter term aaand also pek tornis periodically throughout the y}ear in smialler venues edcm .Aciiisaet ial ct nSpenxrf>1 ~Ijn inhr.Terjb
indclde budg-etinv. ad ew rtising, arrangin choreography and splecif c arratngwements for the pro- r
duction, Formore informatxion, contact uac.inipaot uinich eu..
Center poies ml etaunclr
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VoedBstVde Soe 0 aily..Ragar Film Festival marks 40 year anniversary in A2
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By Andy Taylor-Fabe
\Vcckcnd Editor
The 40th annual Ann Arbor Film Festival began a week-long program
March 10, 2002, with an opening gala at the Michigan Theater. The festival,
which is one of the oldest in the country to deal exclusively with 16 mil-
limeter film, attracts filmmakers from all over the world, from Ann Arbor to
Singapore, and explores a variety of styles and visual techniques, ranging
from traditional narratives and documentaries to experimental films to ani-
mat ion.I
The screenings began March 11 and went through the night of March 16,
with multiple shows each day in the main theater of the Michigan Theater.
Although each of the 108 films is only showed once, the winners of the
$ 18,000 prize money had their films screened.
This year's festival was a little different, for in addition to the current
entries, the Michigan Theater's screening room was used to celebrate the
history of the film festival by showing over 50 alternative films, like "To
War or Not to War," a film about conscientious objectors and previously
released works, such as Andy Warhol's "Exploding Plastic Inevitable."
Off-site additions to the festival will include late-night performances at
the Firefly Club by artists Craig Baldwin as well as Kapt. Sally and Crew.
During the festival, journalist and provocateur Michael Moore will also
be showing clips from his film on gun control and signing his book "Stu-
pid White Men and Other Excuses for the State of the Nation."
Vicki-Honeyman, director of the festival for the past 15 years, said that
the 40th anniversary is special because it is a chance to "honor our past
and look at our future."
By examining the beginnings of the festival, such as having founder and
former director George Manupelli screen some of his work, people can
see why the continuing commitment to 16 mm film is so important for
helping the festival stay true to its cause, or as Honeyman said "keeping
(its) identity."
Managing Assistant Director Chrisstina Hamilton said that the festival
is a "sounding board for all the voices in our greater community ... for
them to say what they need to say."
The opening gala was more extensive than years past. In addition to the
traditional cocktail party, East Liberty Street was closed down for the Lux
Mundi street parade, featuring a Chinese lion dance, and performance
artist Pat Oleszko's sculpture garden.
Inside the theater, John Nelson, who won an Academy Award for Visual
Effects for "Gladiator;' talked about his w~grk,,ap4. Oleszko performed.
One of the unique aspects of the Ann Arbor Film Festival is the range of
material that is assembled for the screenings. "Some important works are
not for everybody ... There's probably something in each show that you
will love and hate," Hamilton said.
Honeyman, said that although she loves all types of film, she is partial
to the short, experimental films saying, "It's harder to make a one minute
film than it is to make an hour long one ... most narrative films that are
released are stupid love stories."
Honeyman also said the festival surpasses other such events
because,"we're not afraid of experimental film. We're more afraid of nar-
ratives. We're here to show the work that doesn't have many other ven-
ues."
However, she stresses that the festival does not and will not have a stu-
dent category because, "We're not an amateur festival. Most student films
are not ready to be shown at this type of festival."
The screenings, which cost $7 each or $50 for the whole week, ran all
day, with events from early afternoon to late night. "Show up anytime -
you'll get a great show every night," said Hamilton.
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EMMIVA FOSDiIK/Diiy
The Michigan Theater is the official site of the Ann Arbor Film Festival.
'Time Bandits' great adventure
for all ages, shapes and sizes,
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Films from the vault
By Jeff Dickerson
Daily Arts Editor
Midgets. Robin Hood. Time trav-
eling. Agamemnon. The Titanic.
British folk.
Any of these alone would make
for an interesting cinematic endeav-
or. It might even win Best Picture
(see 1997). Combine all these ele-
ments with a dash of Monty Python
humor and you have Terry Gilliam 's
1981 masterpiece of children's fan-
tasy, "Time Bandits.'
"Time .Bandits" tells the story of
Kevin, a young boy with a wild
imagination and parents who are
more concerned with television and
kitchen appliances than their only
child. One bloody British night,
Kevin lies is bed only to be violent-
ly awoken by a knight' in shining
armor mounted to a "Lord of the
Rings"-esque stallion. The next day
Kevin finds a small army of midgets
(little people, dwarves) perusing his
personal space. From this point on,
Kevin inadvertently joins the band
of time traveling thieves from
ancient times to present-day Eng-
land.
"Time Bandits" includes many
scenes worth cataloging, none of
which are more justified than the
ending to the 116-minute long film.
The conclusion is so absurd it has
solidified itself as possibly the
greatest film ending of all time.
Some will scratch their heads, oth-
ers will laugh in torrential glee.
.One of the most endearing char-
acteristics of the film is the talented
cast. Sean Connery is superb as
Agamemnon and even better as a
fireman. That's right, Sean Connery
as a fireman. Ian Holm ("Alien,"
"Brazil") is a memorable Napoleon
who rambles on when intoxicated
about history's great short leaders.
"Monty Python" members John
Cleese and Michael Palmn give rous-
ing supporting roles but none of the
acting tops that of David Warner
("Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II:
The Secret of the Ooze") as the Evil
Genius. Warner's rendition of the
technology-obsessed devil is so over
the top it blends flawlessly with the
bizarre set designs.
Terry Gilliam started his career in
the sketch comedy troupe Monty
Python as an animator. His first
directorial effort was 1975's
"Monty Python and the Quest for.
the Holy :Grail." Some of his more
acclaimed efforts include "Brazil;'
"The Fisher King" and "12 Mon-
keys." Known for his inventive
camerawork and satirical writing,
Gilliam has become Hollywood's
dark child. He was once quoted as
saying, "'One Of Hollywood's
Greatest Visionaries?' I'm Not Even
A Hollywood director!"
The "quiet Beatle" himself
George Harrison provides his song
"Dream Away" from his 1982
album "Gone Troppo" for the end
credits. Not only does he provide a
portion of the soundtrack, but Har-
rison is also one of the executive
producers. Not surprising consider-
ing some of the scenes look as
though they were taken from "Mag-
ical Mystery Tour?'
Thank the Supreme Being for the
boys at The Criterion- Collection.
"Time Bandits" is available in an
impressive DVD release, but be
wary. There are two versions of the
film available on DVD, one pro-
duced by Anchor Bay and the other
by Criterion. Depending on' how
cheap you are, the Criterion version
is the only way to go. It includes a
commentary track with director
Terry Gilliam, as well as actors
John Cleese;- David Warner,
Michael Palmn and Craig Warnock.
Enthusiasts will also enjoy a brief
video montage and the theatrical
trailer. If you're the type of individ-
ual who drives to Taco Bell at mid-
ni~ht to score some free stale pizza.
L
Thur most memorable year at
Michigan might be the one you
spend abroad.
Learn more at the .. .
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