Listen as David Fair, and Michigan Theater Executive Director, Russ Collins discuss what's playing around town and downtown.
Cinetopia International Film
Festival is back for a fourth year—bigger and better than ever! From June 5 through June 14, southeast Michigan has the opportunity to discover the best dramas, comedies, and documentaries from the world’s best film festivals—like Sundance, Cannes , Venice, Berlin, Toronto , SXSW and Tribeca —in venues across Detroit and Ann Arbor. We’ve got an amazing opening night free film screening on the North Lawn of the Detroit Institute of Arts and ten days of film screenings at the College for Creative Studies , Charles H. Wright Museum and the Arab American National Museum, as well as Detroit venues like Cinema Detroit, the Maple Theater , Redford Theatre , and the Senate Theatre. Ann Arbor venues include the historic Michigan Theater and State Theatre and the U-M Modern Languages Building.
Special events are many and include a symposium at the University of Michigan celebrating the centenary of visionary director Orson Welles ; free outdoor screenings; post-film discussions and Q&A with directors and stars; panels, performances and parties... it’s all part of what make a film festival great. See next year’s award-winning independent films before they make it big; visit cinetopiafestival.org to purchase passes and tickets.
See what you can discover!
Over 70 Films; 18 different venues; over 150 screenings
English Language Films
16 story-based fiction films from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada
Foreign Language Films
25 story-based fiction films from 22 countries; choose from comedies, thrillers, and dramas
Documentary Films
12 feature-length films that explore the truth behind political, societal, and personal stories
Special Programs
• Centennial celebration and Symposium on the work of Orson Welles
• Opening night parties and festival after parties
• FREE outdoor screenings
• ... AND MORE
Films Russ is especially excited to share
· Me and Earl and the Dying Girl -- Sundance Audience award winner and Grand Jury Prize winner
· Pale Moon -- Audience Award winner Tokyo International Film Festival and US premiere!
· Court - Multiple festival winner and winner of the Indian “Oscar” for best film
· Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet -- Opening night film in Detroit on lawn of DIA
· Summer of Sangaile - Sundance Best Foreign Language Film, Lithuanian
· The Tribe -- Cannes favorite from last year -- Deaf students told in sign language w/o subtitles
· 54 - Directors Cut - Mark Christopher restored 25 minutes of footage at the Berlin FF sensation
· Orson Welles Symposium
· Christmas Again - nice, very personal film from Sundance
· Imperial Dreams - winner of Best of Next at 2015 Sundance Film Festival, Director: Malik Vitthal
· Mistress America - Noah Baumbach (writer/director) and Greta Gerwig’s (writer/star) new film
Opening Downtown
“Tomorrowland” will get an “only at the Michigan Theater” opening night because, Brad Bird the respected director (“The Incredible,” “Iron Giant”) of “Tomorrowland,” specifically chose the Michigan as one of just 15 Movie Palaces in North America to host a special advanced screening. George Clooney plays a former boy-genius jaded by scientific disillusionment. He and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as Tomorrowland. What they must do changes the world-and them-forever. “Tomorrowland’s” special advanced screenings are Thursday, May 21 (one week from today) at 7:00 and 9:45 at the Michigan Theater.
What the Funk Brothers did for Motown, “The Wrecking Crew” did, only bigger, for the West Coast Sound. Six years in a row in the 1960's and early 1970's, the Grammy for "Record of the Year" went to Wrecking Crew recordings. And now, “The Wrecking Crew” tells the story in pictures and that oh, so glorious sound. The favorite songs of a generation are all here, presented by the people who made them for you. This documentary tells the story of the unsung musicians that provided the backbeat, the bottom and the swinging melody that drove many of the number one hits of the 1960's, and brought the flair and musicianship that made the American "west coast sound" a dominant cultural force around the world. “The Wrecking Crew” plays May 23-25 at the Michigan Theater.
In “White God,” when young Lili is forced to give up her beloved dog Hagen, because its mixed-breed heritage is deemed 'unfit' by The State, she and the dog begin a dangerous journey back towards each other. At the same time, all the unwanted, unloved and so-called 'unfit' dogs rise up under a new leader, Hagen, the one-time house pet who has learned all too well from his 'Masters' in his journey through the streets and animal control centers how to bite the hands that beats him. Bill Goodykoontz of the Arizona Republic writes “What it all means is open to interpretation. Read it as a parable or as a horror movie. Read it as the story of love between a girl and her dog. Read it however you want. No matter what your take, you won't be disappointed.” “White God” Plays May 26-28 at the Michigan Theater.
MICHIGAN THEATER HONORS US MILITARY PERSONNEL WITH FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL MOVIES MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
The Michigan Theater is pleased to once again recognize the contributions to our country by members of the U.S. military. Throughout Memorial Day Weekend—Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25—both military veterans and active personnel with ID will be admitted FREE to all film screenings at the Michigan Theater and the State Theatre. In addition, veterans are eligible for a discount price of $8.00 per ticket all year round to both venues.
ALSO PLAYING
Wild Tales
Far From the Madding Crowd
Opening at the Multiplex
“Poltergeist”
Legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi ("Spiderman," "Evil Dead", "The Grudge") and director Gil Kenan ("Monster House") contemporize the classic tale about a family whose suburban home is haunted by evil forces. When the terrifying apparitions escalate their attacks and hold the youngest daughter captive, the family must come together to rescue her before she disappears forever. “Poltergeist” opens Friday. Written By: Steven Spielberg, David Lindsay-Abaire STARS: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kyle Catlett, jared Harris
Special Screenings Downtown
An unprecedented––and wholly unpredictable––action-adventure, “Roar” follows wildlife preservationist Hank (“The Exorcist” producer Noel Marshall in his sole and career-derailing turn as an actor and director), who lives harmoniously alongside a menagerie of over 100 untamed animals, including cheetahs, elephants, lions and tigers on a preservation in the African plains. When his wife and children arrive (real-life wife Tippi Hedren, step-daughter Melanie Griffith, and his sons John and Jerry Marshall) for a visit, a long-brewing battle for dominance between the lions erupts and threatens their very lives. “Roar” plays Thursday and Friday, May 21 and 22 at the State Theatre.
“Sideways” celebrates its tenth anniversary! A wine tasting road trip to salute Jack (Thomas Haden Church)’s final days as a bachelor careens woefully sideways as he and Miles (Paul Giamatti) hit the gas en route to mid-life crises. The comically mismatched pair, who share little more than their history and a heady blend of failed potential and fading youth, soon find themselves drowning in wine and women. Sideways” plays Wednesday May 27 at 7 PM. Presented with support from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
“Alive Inside” is a joyous cinematic exploration of music's capacity to reawaken our souls and uncover the deepest parts of our humanity. This stirring documentary follows social worker Dan Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization Music & Memory, as he fights against a broken healthcare system to demonstrate music's ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it. Presented by Big Hearts for Seniors, “Alive Inside” plays Thursday May 28 at 7 PM.
