Known for his controversial, whistle-blowing documentaries, Michael Moore hosts his fifth film festival in Traverse City, Michigan.
Traverse City Film Festival, a charitable and educational non-profit organization, returns on July 28th and runs to August 2nd, with what Moore calls the best lineup of movies in its history.
Michael Moore and Madonna from the 2008 Traverse City Film Festival
The Traverse City Film Festival has become one of the largest film festivals in the Midwest, and one of the most respected in the country. “Last year we had over 80,000 admissions and we expect even more this year,” Moore said. “We’re bringing the absolute best in new films from around the world and here at home; films which have been overlooked but deserve the attention of a public starved to see a good movie.”
Last year, there were over 80,000 admissions to nearly 100 screenings, a number of them U.S. or world premieres.
Event Highlights
Traverse City Film Festival will feature filmmaker appearances, daily panel discussions, and an assortment of exciting parties. Free films will be shown nightly on a huge inflatable screen set against the backdrop of the Traverse City waterfront.
Attendees will be able to choose from a total of 71 features and short films representing more than 30 countries and five continents. Films include Valentino: The Last Emperor, Waltz with Bashir, Which Way Home, Outrage, Learning Gravity, The Answer Man, The Girlfriend Experience, The Greatest, Humpday and Sugar. The Traverse City Film Festival will also showcase several Austin films, including Winnebago Man, Registered Sex Offender and Harmony and Me.
Greetings from Tehran and Palestine and Vine are two sections of films from the Middle East, including the new documentary, Rachel, about the life and death of Rachel Corrie, an American who sacrificed her life to help the Palestinian people. Her parents will be in attendance at the film festival.
The festival in Traverse City, Michigan begins with Troubled Water. Norwegian director Erik Poppe’s film tells the story of a young man just released from prison after serving eight years for a terrible crime. While on the path to redemption, the young man must confront a woman whose life has been forever scarred by his past actions.
Julie & Julia
The closing night is highlighted by a sneak preview of Julie & Julia, the much-anticipated film starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams in the adaptation of the book from Julie Powell. The film examines the early days of renowned chef Julia Child and navigates Julie Powell’s attempt, 40 years later, to cook and blog her way through 524 recipes from Child in only 365 days. Nora Ephron directed and wrote the screenplay for Julie & Julia. Ephron’s previous credits include screenwriter for When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle.
Stirring Retrospectives
The Traverse City Film Festival celebrates the 40th anniversary of Woodstock with a screening of never before seen footage from the concert and special guests who performed at Woodstock live on stage at the State Theatre.
The event will also include a Paul Mazursky Tribute. The legendary writer and director will appear with a presentation and discussion of his classic films; Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, Enemies, A Love Story and An Unmarried Woman. Moore himself will host a special 20th anniversary screening of his first film, “Roger & Me”. Special guests from the film will also attend.
Other Notables
Film Festival board member Larry Charles will present a one-time only screening of outtakes from Bruno, which stars Sacha Baron Cohen. Comedian Jeff Garlin of Curb Your Enthusiasm fame will give a sneak preview of a surprise title. Other filmmakers attending include Jim Czarnecki, who will bring his new film, Soundtrack for a Revolution. Comedian Patton Oswalt will show his new movie Big Fan. Traverse City will also host Harmony and Me director Robert Byington and Winnebago Man’s Ben Steinbauer.
New to the festival will be the TCFF Kids Fest, offering independent films for young people. Additionally, the annual master class for student filmmakers is being expanded to a weeklong film school for anyone interested in the art of cinema.
Attending The Festival
Those interested in attending the Traverse City Film Festival may view an entire schedule at www.traversecityfilmfestival.org. Admission prices to all festival events will remain the same as last year with tickets to regular movies priced at $9. Opening and closing night films are $25, with opening and closing night parties ticketed separately at $50. Friends of the Traverse City Film Festival receive half off opening and closing night party tickets, according to their benefit level.
In order to keep ticket prices the same, a limited number of tax-deductible $2,500 Producer’s Passes are also available. The passes, offered as a fundraiser for the festival, are non-transferable and give the bearer a guaranteed seat at, and early access to, all festival films and events.
View the 2009 Film Festival Guide online at: www.traversecityfilmfest.org/tixSYS/2009/filmguide.
