TRAVERSE CITY —
Michael Moore, the usually ubiquitous founder of the Traverse City Film Festival, missed the festival's opening night because he was working on his new book.
The documentary filmmaker made up for it Saturday by surprising a festival audience with a reading from that yet-to-be-released memoir, a collection of nonfiction short stories. "Mike's Surprise" is a festival favorite among moviegoers, who purchased tickets to the Saturday afternoon event without a clue as to what might be in store.
The festival also handed out awards Saturday evening to a host of films screened during the last week.
Earlier in the day, at "Mike's Surprise," the lights dimmed and Moore ambled on stage and took a spot in an armchair. He read from his new book "Here Comes Trouble" by the light of a nearby floor lamp.
"Those who were expecting to see a movie, I'll give you a second to leave," he joked.
He needn't have. The sold-out crowd remained seated, fixated on his stories of dealing with politically motivated death threats and a childhood summer vacation to Washington, D.C.
Previous "Mike's Surprise" screenings included outtakes from his movie "Sicko," the documentary "Blood in the Face" and Monty Python's "Life of Brian."
Moviegoers never know what they might see when they buy a ticket for the festival's surprise event, said Gloria Morkin, who also has attended several in previous years.
"I find Michael rather interesting. He kind of helps me to look at things differently," she said.
Morkin had tickets to about a dozen films this year and particularly enjoyed the Upper Peninsula documentary "Where Soldiers Come From."
"I'm drawn to documentaries, and this is such a documentary heaven," she said.
Documentaries were among the festival's big winners Saturday at a first-ever awards ceremony on the State Theatre's stage. Festival founders honored "Where Soldiers Come From" as one of two best U.S. documentaries.
The Dearborn-filmed high school football documentary "Fordson: Faith, Fasting, Football" claimed best U.S. documentary from the festival's nonfiction jury. Director Rashid Ghazi accepted the award along with the football players whom he featured.
"This is an unbelievable experience for us," Ghazi told the audience at the State. "The sold-out auditoriums have us in tears."
Sue Marx, who won an Academy Award for her documentary "Young at Heart," picked up the Michigan Filmmaker Award.
The people's choice awards will be announced at the end of the festival.
The festival concludes today with a free, Open Space screening of "Mrs. Doubtfire" at dusk, ticketed screenings at venues across town and a closing night party at the Park Place Hotel.
Region
Related Photos
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Michael Moore shares stories from his book "Here Comes Trouble" on Saturday during the Traverse City Film Festival's "Mike's Surprise" event at Lars Hockstad Auditorium. Record-Eagle/Keith King
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Sue Marx accepts the 2011 MichiganFilmmaker Award on Saturday during the Traverse City Film Festival Awards Ceremony at the State Theatre. Record-Eagle/Keith King
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"Fordson" wins the Film Festival's Jury Award for Best United States Documentary as, from right, Rashid Ghazi, director and executive producer; Basma Babar-Quraishi, producer; and Ash-har Quraishi, producer, stand near Fordson High School football players from the film. Record-Eagle/Keith King
'Mike's Surprise' gives Film Festival a literary twist
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Possible millage for TC schools
Traverse City Area Public Schools could ask voters this fall for millions to upgrade several aging schools and facilities.
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Benzie Sheriff candidate reprimanded at work
A candidate for Benzie County sheriff received multiple reprimands for inappropriate behavior at his high school job, but contends he’s still the best man for the law enforcement post.
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Spelling bee competitor goes out with a bang
Jack Pasche misspelled “idiosyncratically,” but he certainly knew how to act it out.
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Police arrest two in separate assaults
The Traverse City Police Department responded Sunday to a reported assault at a home on Leeward Court. A 38-year-old man told officers that his girlfriend, 39, punched him in the eye. He suffered a facial fracture requiring additional treatment.
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Boaters' safety class to be held
The class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 2 at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center. To register, call the department's marine division at (231) 922-2112.
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Audit preparations for TCL&P begin
Consultants have until mid-June to submit plans for how they would conduct a Traverse City Light & Power audit.
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Man charged with more crimes
James Anthony Simpson, 26, of Traverse City, is charged with third-degree home invasion, larceny in a building and malicious destruction of a building after a May 15 incident at a Garfield Township residence.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 30, 2012
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Housing project 'moving forward'
Traverse City commissioners recently approved what officials expect to be the last change in long-running negotiations to sell city property near the former railroad depot off Eighth Street to two affordable housing agencies.
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Septic tank tax appears inevitable
A $30 to $40 yearly tax assessment on properties with septic tanks in Grand Traverse County and Leelanau's Elmwood Township appears inevitable.
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DEQ seeks public input on Brown Bridge Dam removal
The state Department of Environmental Quality seeks public comment on Traverse City's request for a permit to remove Brown Bridge Dam and restore three miles of Boardman River channel.
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Man charged in Crystal Lake incident
A downstate man who attempted to evade authorities by jumping into Crystal Lake spent his Memorial Day weekend in jail.
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Traverse City to expand TC Saves energy program
The city is expanding a program designed to help residents save on their energy bills.
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Elk Lake boat launch closed for repairs
The Elk Lake boat launch located three miles south of Kewadin is temporarily closed for repairs.
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Suspect arrested in parking meter thefts
Police arrested a man they said stole parking meters in Traverse City.
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TC Central, West on another 'best' list
Two Traverse City high schools made another national list of the best in the country.
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Traverse City man faces theft charge
A Traverse City man faces a criminal charge after police believe he stole cash and other items from a friend's parents.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 29, 2012
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Video: 'Taps' at Memorial Day service at Oakwood Cemetery
An excerpt of horn player Don Sattler and drummer David Sattler performing "Taps" at the conclusion of the Memorial Day service at Traverse City's Oakwood Cemetery on Monday, May. 28, 2012.
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Memorial Day: Traverse City honors heroes
A Memorial Day ceremony included a recitation of the Gettysburg Address, a rifle salute, the playing of "Taps" and a speech from Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners Chairman Larry Inman.
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Get to work without using your car
- Monday, May 28, 2012
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City to discontinue spring cleanup
City crews will stop collecting residents' clutter each spring.
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Terry Wooten: WWII soldier's story told in poems
Jack Miller, a survivor of the Bataan Death March and a POW during World War II, won't be in any Memorial Day parades today.
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Remembering the fallen veterans
Below is a list of military veterans from the region who died during the past year (May 28, 2011, through May 25, 2012).
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Memorial Day events
A roundup of Memorial Day-related events in northern Michigan:
Continued ... - Sunday, May 27, 2012
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Travel season begins
Tourism analysts at Michigan State University project a 3 percent increase in Michigan travel volume this year.
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Restored cemetery to be honored on Memorial Day
The "Old Ones" buried in the once-overgrown and abandoned Onominese Indian Cemetery near Northport will be honored in a Memorial Day service and traditional re-dedication ceremony.
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