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08/06/2007
That's All, FolksMoore 'surprises' audience with unseen 'Sicko' footageTRAVERSE CITY — Oscar-winning film director and festival founder Michael Moore surprised audiences with outtakes from his current hit movie "Sicko” as people waited in lines Sunday evening for the last few shows of the third Traverse City Film Festival. Moore took the stage at the Old Town Playhouse at 4 p.m. for the first of two showings of this year's "Mike's Surprise” — a screening that isn't announced until the showing itself. "You'll be the first audience in the world, literally, to see this footage,” he said, explaining that some of it was "too crazy” or "too sad” to include in the cut of the movie about America's healthcare system released to theaters. Among the clips was the story of a man who had dropped himself from his medical insurance so he could afford to insure his children and was diagnosed with cancer shortly thereafter. Much of the material will be included as extras on the DVD, he added. Rachel Apgar, of Ann Arbor, said she was happy she bought a ticket. "It was really pretty awesome to have Michael Moore introducing it and talking about it,” she said. Estimates of more than 70,000 admissions for the second consecutive year made it a "fantastically successful festival” event, according to manager Deb Lake said. "The feedback we've received on everything from the movies to the parties to the popcorn has been overwhelmingly positive,” she said. The festival was one day shorter than last year but there was an additional indoor venue this time at Lars Hockstad Auditorium. Outdoor movies at the Open Space drew the largest crowds yet, with three of the four nights attracting between 4,000 to 5,000 viewers, said Jodi Maas, manager of that venue. "It was our best year yet, weather-wise and attendance-wise,” she said. In front of the Playhouse, Helen Kubesh sold T-shirts, hats, mugs and other event souvenirs as a volunteer. She didn't volunteer as much as last year, but still wasn't able to see any movies this year because she was entertaining guests from out of town. "Last year, I volunteered for everything and didn't get to see the movies,” she said. "Next year, company or no, I'm going to see some movies.” Others saw several during the week. Alice Hansen, of Traverse City, saw seven. "Hands down, my favorite was 'Talk to Me,'” she said, referring to a movie starring Don Cheadle as 1960s Washington, D.C., radio personality Petey Greene. She was with her daughter, Erica Hansen, who lives in New York City. "It's something about the festival atmosphere and the live musicians before,” she said. "And it's a bonding experience with my mom.” Mimi Gass saw 20 movies for free. Last year, she won a pass for all of this year's festival. "I've been really spoiled this year,” said Gass, a Royal Oak resident who summers in Glen Arbor. "I've thoroughly enjoyed the whole week and I'm sorry to see it end. But I'll stand in line again for them next year.” Alex Gregor, of London, volunteered as a VIP coordinator. He was glad to be part of the event. "It's something I'd like to see replicated in Britain,” he said. While movies were still rolling, dozens of others celebrated at the closing night party at Grand Traverse Commons. They ate calamari and crab salad, timpana, smoked whitefish pate and peach cobbler with pecan praline sauce, among other selections from restaurants in and outside of the area. Jim and Laura Bernard, of Buffalo Grove, Ill., attended the party at the end of their second year coming to the festival. "The nice thing about it is it was in different movie theaters and everybody was congenial and helpful — and the fact that there is an audience out there for independent films,” Jim Bernard said.
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