8A - Monday, September 8, 2008

The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com

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The film doubles as a shampoo commercial.

Probably easier than it looks.

ELEGY
From Page 5A

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New documentary shows on Petit's long-standing plan to tightrope Center and recognizing it as "the object:
walk between the Twin Towers, and the of (his) dream."
man's tightrope journey over-the-top planning that went into the Over the course of the film, we see the
actual event, which came to life Aug. 7, WTCA set up shop at Notre Dame in Paris
By NOAH DEAN STAHL 1974. and on a major traffic bridge in Sydney,,
DailyArts Writer Pre-Sept. 11 imagery pervades the film, always with an eye toward New York.
as we see extensive Each time Petit comes down off the wire,
In Woody Allen's "Stardust Memories" footage ofthe construe- there are hordes of enthralled spectators,
(1980), in the wake of an encounter with tion of the World Trade and a swarm of cops, present in response
super-intelligent extraterrestrial life, a Center and its comple- Man on to an illegal spectacle as much as an
striking montage of hot air balloons plays. tion. That said, there opportunity to see something breathtak-
The serenity of the images transcends is almost no allusion ing.
the movie-watching experience, as the to the attacks. Nearly At the Such a setup might lead one to believe
suspended orbs seem to play among the all painful associations Michigan "Man on Wire" is a bit of a crime movie -
clouds. with Sept. 11 disap- Theater the Trade Center event was quite illegal,
James Marsh's ("The King") mesmeric pear, as the gallantry Discovery Films as emphasized by all those interviewed.
documentary, "Man on Wire," displays a of Petit's feat redefines Though it might be hard to relate directly
similarly profound insight into tranquil- the towers.as the back- , to the idea of wire-walking between the
ity, with images of wirewalker Philippe drop for something magical. towers as a personal achievement, the
Petit poised on the edge of the world, Looking back on the preparations film speaks strongly to the importance,
walking between the towers of the World for Petit's stunt, "Man on Wire" feels as of being true to oneself. Though the rea-
RTAINMENT Trade Center. The documentary focuses much like a behind-the-scenes of a bank 'son for such an act can only be ascribed
robbery as it does the plan- to Petit's idiosyncratic nature, it is, more
ning of an elaborate feat of than anything, a reflection of his unmiti-
acrobatics.The self-dubbed gated determination to achieve his goal.
The University of Michigan Thirteenth Annual World Trade Center Asso Petit's imagination drives the film;
anned eativity and excitement are infec-$
meticulously,dAwing diatiou, which is why it's disappointing to
EG.T g n s; lkY'ild s adt ich overuse of dramatization. While
sta i tedstas hmembers ce's something to be said about paint-
from rane, ustralis an tog a concrete picture for the viewer, it's
the United States. clear the filmmaker has little faith in the
Promoting energy conservation, renewable The WTCA was fueled audience's ability to use the mind's eye.
energy, and a sustainable environment by the boundless enthusi- When narrating the most dramatic parts
asm and imagination of its of his tale - and there are many - Petit's
leader, French high-wire natural gift as a storyteller is enough to
 s y, p bartist Philippe Petit. Now win over the audience's affection.
Central Campus Diag: almost 60, Petit recounts For Petit, walking between the towers
11:00 to 2:00 their mission with the garnered a level of fame that he could not,
eager enthusiasm of a have anticipated. But life is often funny,
Live Music with Justine Blazer young boy. Petit recalls sit- or at least inscrutable, in such a way. Just;
from 12-1 ting in the dentist's office, the same, the visual poetry manifested by
seeing an image of the yet- Petit'scomposure is an image of persever-
/+..... . 4to-be built World Trade ante and inspiration.

Michigan Head* Pain & Neurological Institute is
conducting a research study evaluating an investigational
medication for the treatment of migraines.
Participants must:
4 Be 18 years or older
'Experience 1to 8 headaches per month for the past 2 months
If you qualify, you will receive study related exams and
study medication at no cost to you. In addition, you will be
compensated for your time and travel expenses.
For more information, please call a study coordinator at (734)
677-6000, option 4.
Learn more about participating in research at www. MHNI.com.

Tnursday, September 11
North Campus Portico Plaza:
11:00 to 2:00
Exhibits! Door Prizes!
Sponsored by
Plant Operations and the 8
Center for Sustainable Systems
www.css.snre.umich.edu
www.energymanagement.umich.edu

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