Observer Editor
61st Annual Ann Arbor Film Festival.
Mar. 21–26. The oldest and one of the most prestigious avant-garde film festivals in North America, showcasing new experimental and independent films in a wide range of genres. Also, “Off the Screen” round-table discussions, exhibits, and parties (see aaFilmFest.org for full schedule). Tickets: $150 (buy before Mar. 1, $125; members, students, & seniors, $100) for the entire festival; $85 (buy before Mar. 1, $75) for weekend passes, or $60 (buy before Mar. 1, $60) for an online-only pass in advance at aafilmfest.org. $12 (students, seniors, & members, $8) per screening at the door. All feature films eligible for online viewing are available Mar. 21–29. 995–5356. Michigan Theater (except as noted), various times.
Mar. 24: “The Romare Marquee.” A program of festival juror Amir George’s short films, with commentary on their relationship to the art of Romare Bearden. 1 p.m., State Theatre.
“Dor (Longing).” Jannes Callens’ competition drama depicts an encounter between a Belgian-Romanian man and a group of young shepherds, with pacing that floats between expeditious narration and contemplation. 5 p.m., State Theatre.
“Films in Competition 6.” Program of 35mm and 16mm films that includes the premiere of Philip Hoffman’s Deep 1, and films about pollution, a utopian college, and field journal entries. 5:30 p.m., U-M School of Kinesiology, rm. 2500.
“Celluloid Body.” A program of direct animation and handmade films curated by Diana Sánchez Maciel. 7 p.m., State Theatre.
“Films in Competition 7.” Highlights include Mohammad Gorjestani’s Somewhere Higher and films about a prickly sensory playground, a small yellow house, and the koel cuckoo. 7:30 p.m.
“Huahua’s Dazzling World and Its Myriad Temptations.” Daphne Xu’s competition documentary, about an eccentric, exuberant woman from China’s Xiong’an New Area who earns a living livestreaming herself dancing, singing, and chatting with fans, addresses the broader implications of this strange new world. 9 p.m., State Theatre.
“Films in Competition 8.” Program of animated films that includes Jeremy Rourke’s You’re Not Listening, as well as films about the color blue, the footsteps of a being, and mannequin choreography. 9:30 p.m.
“Weekend” (Jean-Luc Godard, 1967). The surreal tale of a married couple’s bloody road trip was a pioneer of modern cinematic rule-breaking. 11 p.m., State Theatre.
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