The 54th Ann Arbor Film Festival is Here!

Thu, 03/10/2016 - 12:17pm by valerieclaires

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is here again, and with it comes another year of films, events, and community partnership. AADL will once again be an official AAFF community partner, this year for Films in Competition 5, on Saturday March 19 at 11 am in the main auditorium. This screening features films especially for viewers and filmmakers age 6 and up.

You can see the festival's entire schedule and buy tickets on the Ann Arbor Film Fest’s website. Make sure to enter the code AAFF54_AADL for a dollar off your advance ticket!

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America. The 54th AAFF takes place March 15-20, 2016 and presents over 200 films from across the world with dozens of world premieres. For more information, please visit the Ann Arbor Film Festival’s website.

Alan Rickman's Legacy

Thu, 01/14/2016 - 3:24pm by mansii

London born British actor and director Alan Rickman died of cancer today, January 14, at age 69. His prolific and versatile acting career of almost forty years spanned stage productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the late 70s and early 80s, and Broadway productions as late as 2001, for which he was nominated for the Tony award. In film he was perhaps most beloved for his role as Professor Severus Snape in all eight Harry Potter adaptions. In 1997 he won both a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his performance in Rasputin ('96). His deep, hypnotic voice has been his un-asked for trade mark, and despite his late start as an actor at age 26, his master-hood of the craft places his legacy among the giants of film.

Three of my personal favorites from his film career are:

Sense and Sensibility ('95). This adaption of Jane Austin's classic 19th century novel about two sisters (actresses Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet), opposite in character, who learn from each others failures and triumphs in matters of the heart. Rickman plays Colonel Brandon, whose patience and trueness of heart triumphs over his better-looking but false rival in love.

Love Actually ('03). This British film with a host of beloved actors (Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Kierra Knightley, Liam Neeson) charts the interwoven stories of eight couples, who must through different journies learn from their mistakes, forgive, and decide what matters. Rickman plays father and husband, Harry; a business executive who is tempted with infidelity.

Alice in Wonderland ('10). Tim Burton's adaptation of Lewis Carroll's famous children's story, where fantasy and adventure blend in a magical world of talking rabbits, live chess pieces, a vicious queen, a mad hatter, and an enigmatic and enlightened caterpillar (Rickman as the voice).

Rediscover your favorite Alan Rickman films, or be surprised by what you didn't know he played in through this list of his filmography.

Ghostbusters and Top Gun Are Safe for Future Generations

Sat, 01/02/2016 - 12:51pm by Sara W

The annual list of films selected by the Library of Congress for preservation released in December and includes moments of cinematic history alongside comedy and action favorites from the 1980s.

Each year, 25 films are selected to become part of the National Film Registry and be preserved under the National Film Preservation Act for their cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. It's always interesting to see what classic and modern films make the cut and are deemed of value to posterity.

The 2015 list includes Ghostbusters, L.A. Confidential, The Shawshank Redemption, and Top Gun. Alongside these modern favorites are classic dramas like Lana Turner's Imitation of Life and Jimmy Stewart's Winchester '73. There are also documentaries, educational films, and animated shorts.

You can review the complete National Film Registry list, and if you come across any obvious omissions, nominate your own culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant films. I noticed that Mean Girls isn't on there yet. Just saying.

Film and Discussion: Souls Without Borders: The Untold Story of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade

Wednesday September 23, 2015: 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Sundance Film Forward: We Are the Giant

Wednesday June 17, 2015: 7:00pm to 8:30pm
State Theatre, 233 S. State Street

Sundance Film Forward: Open Access Activism

Wednesday June 17, 2015: 4:00pm to 5:30pm
Hatcher Graduate Library Gallery, 913 S. University Avenue

Sundance Film Forward: The Internet's Own Boy

Tuesday June 16, 2015: 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty Street

Film & Discussion: “That Strange Summer” with Director Geri Alumit Zeldes

Wednesday October 14, 2015: 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Film and Discussion: "Let's Have Some Church Detroit Style: The Hallelujah Singers"

Monday September 28, 2015: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room
Adults And Teens Grade 6 And Up

AADL is an Ann Arbor Film Festival Community Partner

Sat, 03/28/2015 - 10:51am by valerieclaires

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is here again, and with it comes another year of films, events, and community partnership. AADL will once again be an official AAFF community partner for Films in Competition 4, on Saturday March 28 at 11 am at the Michigan Theater, which features films especially for viewers and filmmakers age 6 and up.

You can check out the list of films playing and buy tickets on the Ann Arbor Film Fest’s website. Make sure to enter the code AAFF53_AADL for half off your advance ticket – normally $6!

When you come to the screening, you’ll even have a chance to hear the premieres of the film scores participants created in our Making Movie Music workshop, held in conjunction with the AAFF.

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America. The 53rd AAFF takes place March 24-29, 2015 and presents over 200 films from across the world with dozens of world premieres. For more information, please visit the Ann Arbor Film Festival’s website.