Ann Arbor Film Festival 2009

Well it's the last day, and I haven't blogged since Wednesday afternoon, so that's a lot to catch up with. instead of writing a blow by blow account, it's best that I summarise, as I will have more to say after today, when I will give, for what it is worth, my tuppenay's worth.

Overall, I love this festival. It is unique in fests in terms of the films it programs. It has a heavy history to contend with, as well as many long term fest goers who are reluctant to see it grow in some directions.

On Thursday there was a talk by George Manupelli, the founder of the festival, and a screening of his feature, Cry Dr Chicago. George is a very funny man, utterly committed to films which are far outside the mainstream in terms of their intentions, desires and attitudes. He talked about how the festival started, and why - and watching his film it was clear that his love of programming films and the film he wanted to make were inseparable. Dr Chicago is an utterly crazy film in many ways, with a main character who seems like a prototype of the dumb American protagonist like Wayne's World or Beavis and Butthead. It makes no sense and yet, at the same time, hold together unbelievably and is gripping throughout in a strange and surreal way. Last night I was introduced to george, as well as Vicky, who ran the festival after him, and also Christina, who took over the festival after Vicky. I have no met all the key directors of the festival, from the founder up to the present. I feel, this being my second fest, that i am starting to feel the sort of ownership that is healthy as a filmmaker, as I want to see A2 grow even more, expand and really take it's place among the important, trend setting fests in the world.

On Wednesday night after our screening I also met a couple of filmmakers in my program. Big up to Cam, Scott, Marcy and Peter. You are all crazy, on and all. In a good way.

On Thursday we met Shih-Ting, a really good filmmaker who became the festival buddy of kitten and myself. She has left now, but is hopefully coming to the UK. Danny Drysdale also arrived, who I met last year. Big up Danny, let's shoot in UK/UT.

I also saw a film from the estimable Ben Rivers who was at hamburg Short Film fest last year. Ben, what is it with you and crazy people living out in the woods?

On Weds we also saw Mark Hosier from Negativeland. Very interesting. I was only vaguely aware of their work, but I had heard their U2 mash up and knew of the court case. Big up, important work, and a real debate to be had.

Friday seemed a quite day, with fewer screenings than last year, but the highlight was Don Herzfeld. A brilliant young animator with a great sense of humour and a fabulously simple style with dark gripping subject matter. I predict that his film will win best film, or at least 1 prize. I will be suprised if he doesn't.

I also saw some very cool animated films, some crazy, others just pure lunacy.

Yesterday was interesting, although again it seemed like a quiet day. I do have to say that the filmmakers dinner was great. Very tasty.

Because of the late night the night before we missed the walking tour and the 16mm workshop, which was a shame. Fri night was also the best party, although it was marred by a lack of control. This is an issue I will touch upon later, after the film. Also on Sat I couldn't get into the screening I wanted as it was full, and this is an issue too - only 1 screening per program, which is a shame as it means you can't catch up with what you missed if you were in another screening or the screening you wanted to see was full. I have spoken to Don and Christen about this, and is another point I will raise after the fest has finished.

I saw Automorphosis by Harrod Blank. Crazy americans who love their cars. This could have been a look at the crazy people film, except the director is an art car creator himself and clearly has a love and passion and empathy for these people which shone through. Very sweet, I wish it the best success in the world.

The after party lat night was pretty rubbish as well, but as I say, we shall deal with that laster.

The time is now 13:13, I have rushed through this blog as I wanted to get something down before the end of the fest. I have much more to say and talk about, but let me make this clear. I LOVE ANN ARBOR FILM FEST, and any points I make are to make it better and better. I think the work that Don and Christen do is amazing, and that it seems to they are are between a rock and a hard place, caught between the past and the present and the future, which chimes nicely with RIP: A REMIX MANIFESTO, which states that the past hold the future back too much, and that this fest can grow while staying true to its roots.

Big up, speak soon.