The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 7A
Michigan Theater soaks up the Sun
Sundance USA brings
renowned indie film
festival to Ann Arbor
By JENNIFER XU
Daily Arts Writer
Once .a year, snowy Park City, Utah plays host
to one of the largest film festivals in the world:
the Sundance Film Festival. Over a 10-day
stretch, 200 independent films make their
debuts to an audience of over 40,000 filmmak-
ers, critics and pilgrimaging cinephiles. About
half of these films find major distributors, with
a few going on to receive Oscar gold.
Tonight, Ann Arborites will get a chance
to experience Sundance close to home, as the
Michigan Theater features the premiere of
"Cyrus" in the Festival's inaugural installation
of a new event, Sundance USA.
"For more than 40 years, the Sundance Film
Festival has been this place where films pre-
miere - ideas getting tossed around, all this
dialogue happening, and emotions - and it all
happens in this one little town," said David Cou-
rier, Sundance Film Festival senior programmer.
"Unlike other festivals, we're not really affili-
ated with the city we're in - we're not the Park
City Film Festival - we're very much a festival
for the nation and, we'd like to think, the world,"
he said.
"That makes us the perfect ones to spread our
tentacles across the United States."
This past summer, the Sundance Film Com-
mittee made the decision to expand its films to
audiences all around the nation, bringing eight
direct-from-festival films to eight different
venues, including the Michigan Theater. These
films are being screened for audiences nation-
wide who'may not be able to make the Utah trek,
in addition to the other screenings in Park City.
"We've been fostering these voices of inde-
pendent artists for so many years, and we want-
ed to transport these artists in the extent of their
voices and ideas beyond the mountains of Utah
and into these different communities," Courier
said. "They're all communities that have shown
a passion for alternative cinema and that's why
they were chosen."
Most of the eight theaters selected, includ-
ing the Michigan Theater, are part of Sundance
Institute's Art House Project, a collective of
mostly smaller cinemas that foster an apprecia-
tion of independent film in their local communi-
ties.
"It was very important for us to have audi-
ences that are interested in talking about film,"
Courier explained.
Directors Jay and Mark Duplass ("Baghead")
and star Jonah-Hill ("Superbad") will be pres-
ent at the Ann Arbor screening of "Cyrus." The
directors will lead a Q&A session afterward,
where audience members will get a chance to
ask the filmmakers about their work.
"One of the reasons we wanted to do this is
that we wanted to bring the experience of being
at Sundance Film Festival to each one of these
cities," Courier said.
"What that means is that you're not justgoing
to the movie theater, buying some popcorn and
watching the movie," he said. "You're seeing a
film that's being introduced by the people that
made the film, and you're staying afterwards
and talking to them."
"And we're going to have a video ahead of
time, a little message from Robert Redford, a
taste of Sundance that way as well. We're trying
to replicate the experience of being at the festi-
val as much as we possibly can."
Meanwhile, the Michigan Theater stays
perched on East Liberty, a lingering remnant of
Ann Arbor's rich and lustrous history and the
golden age of Hollywood itself. To the Michigan
Theater, at least, time stands still. Inside, gold
leaf moldings ornament the expansive halls,
double stairways swirl down from the chande-
lier-bathed balcony and an assortment of illus-
trious Ann Arbor founders loom prodigiously
above. The year could very well be 1929. Only
the ever-changing marquees signal the evolving
landscape outside - the capitalized film titles no
longer read "The General" or "Modern Times"
but rather "The Maid" and "Crazy Heart."
Largest out of all the independent theaters
participating in the project, the Michigan hous-
es a whopping 1,700 velvet-lined seats in its
Historic Theater, where "Cyrus" will be shown
this Thursday. For the past few weeks, the the-
ater has done its own share of preparation for
the event, as festive lamppost banners line the
streets and a massive billboard emerges from
I-94.
For five years, the theater has enjoyed a spe-
cial relationship with Sundance and its Art
House Project, which supports independentcin-
ema through special screenings and talks.
"It's really the special relationship with Sun-
dance that we're trying to promote," said Lee
Berry, marketing director of the Michigan The-
ater. "It's the hype behind it; people absolutely
get excited about special events."
Tickets for the event have already sold out,
and half were sold before audiences even knew
which film was being screened.
"Because of all the hoopla that comes with
it, it's an event - it's more than just a movie,"
Berry said. "It enables us to put more behind
it in terms of marketing, get a whole lot more
excitement."
Already, Sundance USA is looking to expand
in future years.
"It hasn't happened yet, but with all the
excitement and energy about it, I can only think
we have to do it again," Courier said.
MAX COLLINS aiy
"Cyrus" is the featured film playing at the Michigan as part of Sundance USA.
COURTESY OF ATLANTIC/F-STOP
Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar are among the many musicians who will be performing at the 33rd Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival
Folking around at Hill
By MIKE KUNTZ
Daily Music Editor
Jay Farrar is no stranger to the folk tradition. A
songwriter nearly all his adult life, Farrar's music
with seminal bands Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt is
a prime example of the genre's
breadth, bridging aspects of punk 33rd A
rock and traditional country
through ragged guitars and his own Ann Arbor
narrative lyrics. Folk Festival
But his appearance at the 33rd
Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festi- Friday and
val tomorrow night highlights Saturday,
another aspect of American folk 6:30 p.m.
- namely, the literary tradition Hill Auditorium
of the Beats. Along with Ben Gib-
bard (lead singer and songwriter
for indie rockers Death Cab for Cutie), Farrar will
be performing songs from 2009's One Fast Move Or
I'm Gone, a collaborative project between the two
songwriters based on prose from Jack Kerouac's
1962 novel "Big Sur." The record also doubled as an
extended soundtrack for Jim Sampas's documenta-
ry of the same name.
"There was probably an element of a kid being
unleashed in a candy store," said Farrar of the project
in an interview with the Daily. "I was so familiar with
Jack's work and I was just inspired to be able to, in a
weird way, work with Kerouac, or at least his words
and his concepts."
The lyrics throughout the record borrow heav-
ily from Kerouac's actual prose, with Farrar adding
some of his own Midwestern experience in between.
"I started with the poem at the end of the book,"
Farrar said, explaining the writing process behind
One Fast Move tracks "Breathe Our Iodine" and "Low
Life Kingdom." "With those songs in particular I had
to do a little more filling in with some of my own
words to make it a little more cohesive."
As a lifelong fan of Kerouac's work, writing and
recording the album had a uniquely personal effect."
'Big Sur' resonated in a way because I was at a sim-
ilar age as Jack was when he was writing about the
experiences in the book," he explained.
Gibbard and Farrar met while shooting the Sam-
pas documentary, in which both artists provided
their own personal commentary on Kerouac's
prose. Farrar had previously worked with Sampas
on a tribute to Bruce Springsteen's iconic Nebraska
record.
"Jim must've had me in his Rolodex file or some-
thing," Farrar joked.
Gibbard shares songwriting credit and sings
throughout the album, giving Farrar's earnest, achier
vocals a lighter, more boyish foil. The pair have been
touring through the late fall, showcasing tracks from
OneFast Move throughout the country and garnering
much favorable press along the way.
But Farrar is convinced the project's success
comes from the chemistry between the two song-
writers.
"That's probably what gives the project strength,"
Farrar said. "We have a shared sensibility and pretty
much speak the same musical language."
Folk music tends to breed the kind of sensibility
Farrar describes - an environment where artistic
collaboration and impromptu, organic performance
reign supreme. Ask any of the performers at this
year's Ann Arbor Folk Festival and they'd probably
agree.
Hosted by historic folk venue The Ark, the annual
festival - all proceeds from which benefit continued
operations and programming at The Ark - has been
bringing top names in contemporary and traditional
folk music for over 30 years. Now in its 33rd year, the
event brings yet another fantastic lineup to Hill Audi-
torium this weekend.
Beginning Friday evening, dream-folker Iron &
Wine will headline alongside Gibbard and Farrar,
with additional support from Philadelphia bluegrass/
Americana outfit Hoots & Hellmouth, Jer Coons
and Po' Girl. Saturday night features Rosanne Cash,
Richie Havens and the incomparable Doc Watson as
headliners, with Raul Malo, Hot Club of Cowtown
and Enter the Haggis supporting. Singer-songwriter
Grant-Lee Phillips (the mastermind behind '90s rock-
ers Grant Lee Buffalo) performs both nights, with
Patty Larkin emceeing.
In keeping with the trend of recent years, Friday's
lineup aims to represent more of the contemporary,
Jay Farrar and Ben
Gibbard turn into Beat
poets at the Folk Festival.
younger talents within folk music, while Saturday
showcases roots-ier acts and shifts the focus toward
more veteran performers. Last year even featured a
brief appearance by the legendary Pete Seeger.
Appearances like Seeger's play a central role in
keeping the folk tradition alive at events like the Folk
Festival - while many of the younger faces in last
year's crowd may have been unfamiliar with all but a
few of Seeger's songs, all could recognize his warmth
and undeniable influence on the artists and devotion
to the craft.
Folk music, like the emotional urgency of punk
rock or Beat poetry, survives precisely because of
the kind of stewardship between older and younger
artists, dead writers and contemporary muses. It's
exactly the kind of community that makes writing
songs from a Kerouac-like stream-of-consciousness
an inherently folk endeavor.
"There's an immediacy to it that can't be denied,"
Farrar said. "Acoustic music is important because it's
nobile, you can take it anywhere."
The 33rd Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival begins at
6:30 p.m. tomorrow night at Hill Auditorium.
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Everything seems to be bigger than life!
(It's just today's Full Moon energy.
Rela.)
SCORPIO
(Oct. 23 to Nov. 21)
Some aspect of your private life defi-
nitely will be made public today. People
wilt notice you, especially bosses, par-
ents, teachers and VPs. Just be awae of
this.
SAGITTARIUS
(Nov. 22 to Dec. 21)
This is an accident-prone day, espe-
cially related to travel. Take extra pre-
cautions. Similarly, avoid heated discus-
sions about race, politics and religion.
CAPRICORN
(Dec. 22 to Jan. 19)
Yeamight have to fight for your share
of something today. Issues about inheri-
tances, shared property, taxes and insur-
ance matters could come toea head now.
AQUARIUS
(Jan. 20 to Feb. 18)
Today's Full Moon is directly opposite
your sign, and this creates stress between
you and partners or close friends. Your
only alternative isto display grace under
pressure. Mellow out.
PISCES
(Feb. 19to March 20)
Don't be overly aggressive with co-
workers on the job today. And don't be
aggressive with other people if it's
related to small pets, your own health
issues or some kind of hygiene factor.
It's just today's Full Moon madness.
YOU BORN TODAY You're social
and fun-loving. You enjoy the company
of others. You have a strong sense of
social justice and fair play; invariably,
you fight for the underdog. You are tol-
erant, broad-minded and interested in
many things. However, you are some-
times just eel sre what yea want. Your
year ahead will be wonderfully social
and beneficial for partnerships.
Birthdate of: Adam Lambert, singer;
Oprah Winfrey, TV host; Tom Selleck,
For Friday, Jan. 29, 2010
ARIES
(March21 to April 19)
The Full Moon tension today can
cause difficulty with friends and groups.
This makes dealing with children and
romantic partners challenging! Stay
frosty.
TAURUS
(April 20 to May 20)
You'll need extra patience today to
deal with the challenges of home and
family versus career and your public rep-
utation. You just can't keep everyone
happy.
GEMINI
(May 21 to June 20)
The Full Moon today can create
accident-prone conditions for you.
Therefore, be careful, slow down and
allow extra time for everything. Be cau-
tious when driving, walking and jog-
ging.
CANCER
(June 21 to July 22)
Today's Full Moon can create finan-
cial tension for you. This tension could
be about disputes related to money mat-
ters or about possessions. It's your inter-
ests versus the interests of others.
LEO
(July 23 to Aug. 22)
Who are you going to put first today
- your wants and needs, or the wants
and needs of others? This is the kind of
dichotomy that every Full Moon can cre-
ate.
VIRGO
(Aug. 23 to Sept. 22)
The tension from today's Full Moon
could create problems for you at work or
even with your health. You feel you have
to make a choice. Perhaps you do.
Choose wisely.
LI BRA
(Sept. 23 to Oct. 22)
This is a rocky day for romance,
sports, social occasions, the entertain-
ment world and the hospitality industry.