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July 22, 2005Traverse City Film FestivalSmall town, world films: Buffs looking forward to indie filmsBY LINDSAY VANHULLERecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Solveig Gustafson said she's purchased tickets to see at least 17 films at the inaugural Traverse City Film Festival - and spent about $200 in the process. "I am seeing some films by myself, we are seeing some as a family, and my husband is seeing some on his own," said Gustafson, a Traverse City resident. "We are signed up for a lot of movies, because we just love film and we are so glad it's here." The film festival, which opens Wednesday, aims to expose people to independent and international films they might not see here otherwise, and local film enthusiasts say they can't wait. "I'm trying to figure out how I can be at all four places at one time," said Tracy Kurtz, a local movie reviewer. "I'm really excited about the film festival. I grow more excited every day." Kurtz has reviewed movies on area radio stations WTCM for nine years and WKPK for about three. She said she has seen some of the films at this year's festival already. "They cross so many lines of interest," Kurtz said. "As a movie reviewer, I hear constantly from people who enjoy a horror genre. Some people enjoy romance. Everyone enjoys something different. That's what this festival has to offer." The Suttons Bay-based Beyond the Bay Film Series shows 10 international or independent films each year at The Bay Theatre. "We go after what we think are the best films each year, whether they're American or whether they're international," said Bob Underhill, one of five founders of the film series. "A lot of the very best films come from other parts of the world." The Traverse City festival is designed to do the same thing, Underhill said. "Film is one of the major art forms of our time, and I think that our community should be exposed to the best examples of film," he said. "You'd want to have a museum with examples of the best art, you'd want to have libraries with examples of the best literature - we want to have people be able to see the best films." Robert Bahle, owner and manager of The Bay Theatre, said he's brought in independent and international films along with commercial Hollywood movies since he started running the theater in 1979. Viewers of all ages should be introduced to quality films, not just from America, Bahle said. "There's a generation of younger people who need to be brought in and exposed to world cinema," he said. "They need to realize that there's a big wide world out there. I'm a small-town boy, and it's been my way to explore the world." For Gustafson, who has attended a Toronto film festival for about eight years, having a similar festival in her hometown is thrilling. "The excitement in the town of Toronto during the film festival is something we love, and I see the same thing happening here," she said. "People who haven't experienced Toronto will feel the excitement that a film festival can bring to a community as a whole. I think it's going to be real exciting to see that."
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