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Here’s what to watch at Michigan Theater’s virtual movie palace 07/06 - 07/12

The Michigan Theater offers popcorn as part of its curbside concessions. (Photo via Pexels.)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Every week, Ann Arbor’s Michigan Theater is offering new movies as well as a collection of documentaries, experimental films, comedies and animated films, among others.

Partnering with several film distribution companies, the independent theater offers a variety of films while donating a portion of ticket proceeds to the Michigan Theater Foundation.

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Movies can be streamed through different devices like phones, tablets, laptops and smart TVs.

Rent films through the theater website or individual movie pages.

Add to the at-home cinema experience by ordering popcorn and other concession items from the theater for curbside concession pickup on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

New films this week:

These films will be available on Wednesday and Friday.

Camp on the Wind’s Road

Not rated -- $4.99 -- Available Wednesday

Presented at the 58th Ann Arbor Film Festival, the hour-long experimental film follows 25-year-old Belekmaa as she settles with the shepherds on her deceased father’s farm and hopes to see him again before his spirit leaves.

Guest of Honour

Not rated -- $12 -- Available Friday

When his daughter Veronica is falsely convicted for a hoax-gone-wrong but insists on punishment, food inspector Jim begins to unravel. Their complicated secrets and past are exposed as Veronica confides in Father Greg.

The Tobacconist

Not rated -- $12 -- Available Friday

While apprenticing at a tobacco shop in Vienna, 17-year-old Franz meets Sigmund Freud. As the two develop a friendship, Franz falls in love with Anezka but political and social conditions worsen as Nazis arrive in Vienna.

We Are Little Zombies

Not rated -- $12 -- Available Friday

Orphans Hikari, Ikuko, Ishi, and Takemura meet as their parents are cremated. Devoid of emotion, the four repurpose a gaming console, an old electric bass and a charred wok to become the band Little Zombies.

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Here’s what is already playing:

Abe

Not rated -- $12

Aspiring chef Abe is often caught in the middle of his family’s conflicting Jewish and Muslim identities. While exploring Brooklyn, New York, the 12-year-old meets Chico, a Brazilian chef who takes Abe under his wing.

Aviva

Not rated -- $12

A romantic drama, the film follows Parisian Aviva as she falls in love with Eden from New York. Played by four different dancers and actors the two characters express their shifting identities through movement and dance.

Crescendo

Not rated -- $12

Conductor Eduard Sporck accepts the task of creating an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra but is forced to help the conflicting youth to find harmony while they prepare for a concert.

Denise Ho: Becoming the Song

Not rated -- $12

Following Hong Kong-based musician and activist Denise Ho, director Sue Williams documents Ho’s attempts to rebuild her own musical career while advocating for freedom of speech and protecting civil liberties.

Diana Kennedy: Nothing Fancy

Not rated -- $9.99

The documentary follows the life of two-time James Beard Award winner Diana Kennedy with extensive interviews.

Ella Fitzgerald: Just One Of Those Things

Not rated -- $12

The 90-minute documentary goes through the life of Ella Fitzgerald by exploring five decades of reflection and music through interviews, photos and music.

John Lewis: Good Trouble

PG -- $12

Chronicling over 60 years of social activism and legislative action by Congressman John Lewis, the documentary uses interviews and archival footage to explore moments in Lewis’ life.

Following the feature is a pre-recorded discussion between Representative Lewis and Oprah Winfrey.

Kinshasa Makambo

Not rated - $10

Presented in Lingala and French with English subtitles, the documentary highlights Ben, Jean Marie and Christian as they contemplate their actions during demonstrations in the Democratic Republic of Congo when the country’s president sought a third term in 2015.

The film has been shot through a handheld camera carried by the protagonists.

The Last Tree

Not rated -- $10

The semi-autobiographical and coming-of-age story of Femi, a British boy of Nigerian heritage, The Last Tree follows his life from a fostered childhood in rural England to living in inner-city London with his biological mother.

Love In Suspenders

Not rated -- $11.99

Widow and former singer Tami meets Beno, a widower with a completely different lifestyle. In Hebrew with English subtitles, the comedy/romance shows how the two fall in love despite meddling family members and dramatic differences.

Lucky Grandma

Not rated -- $12

After a visit to a fortune-teller, Grandma Wong heads to a local casino. After going all-in she soon finds herself in the middle of a war between two rival Chinatown gangs.

Mama Africa: Miriam Makeba

Not rated -- $10

Internationally-known, Miriam Makeba’s music and life are explored through archival footage and interviews in the 90-minute documentary.

Marona’s Fantastic Tale

Not rated -- $10

The animated French-language film shows the life and human companions of its canine protagonist, Marona. It shows that love and happiness are different for dogs.

This virtual release includes a pre-recorded interview with the director, Anca Damian.

The Mindfulness Movement

Not rated -- $10 (nonmembers); $8.50 (students/senior/veterans); $8 (members)

The 100-minute documentary follows the growing number of people who believe that non-judgemental mindfulness is what will heal society and lead to happiness.

The Motions of Stillness

Not rated -- $3

A Michigan Theater original, the documentary was shot in an Ann Arbor nature preserve on April 15 by Michigan Theater Technical Director Jared Van Eck.

The film is free for Michigan Theater members.

Mr. Topaze

Not rated -- $12

Directed by comedy icon Peter Sellers, Mr. Topaze follows proud Albert Topaze as he goes from an unemployed schoolmaster to turning the tables on corrupt city council member Castel Benac.

The 1961 film was digitally restored at the request of the British public from the last known surviving 35mm prints.

One Day After Peace

Not rated -- $12

Exploring the issue of conflict resolution, Robi Damelin wonders if the means used to resolve conflict in South Africa could be applied to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Through a deeply personal documentary, Damelin travels to South Africa to learn about the South African Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s efforts.

One Small Step Shorts

Not rated -- $8

The 84-minute compilation is of 12 new and acclaimed family-friendly animated short films including Maestro, Gopher Broke, After the Rain, One Small Step, The Green Bird, Jubilee, Achoo, Outdoors, Voyagers, Borrowed Time, Bear Story and O28.

Picture of His Life

Not rated -- $9.99

Considered to be one of the greatest underwater photographers, Amos Nachoum is known for capturing up-close photos of apex predators.

The English, Hebrew, and Inuktitut language documentary chronicles Nachoum’s determination to photograph a polar bear and incorporates his backstory of traumas and sacrifices.

Pioneers of Queer Cinema

Not rated -- $7, $8, $15

A trio of classic films from the days of early queer cinema. Victor and Victoria (1933), Mädchen in Uniform (1931) and Michael (1924) explore themes of requited feelings, gender-bending and romance.

Each film can be bought individually for $7 or $8 or as a bundle for $15.

Quarantine Cat Film Festival

Not rated -- $12

A compilation reel from over 1,200 amateur video submissions, the cat-based film festival raises money for independent theaters.

Rainbow Retrospective: A Decade of Queer Comedy Shorts

Not rated -- $10 -- Ends Sunday, July 12

A 77-minute collection of LGBT comedy shorts from the past ten years, the six films have been curated by Derek Horne, programming director of the Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

Reggae Boyz

Not rated -- $12

The documentary follows Winfried Schäfer, amateur soccer player Tuffy and Jamaica’s national soccer team, the “Reggae Boyz,” as they try to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Runner

Not rated -- $12

Through interviews and animations, the 2019 documentary depicts Olympian Guor Mading Maker’s upbringing in Sudan, his separation from his parents, his relationship with running, and difficult choices he has had to face.

Shirley

R -- $5.99

Played by Elisabeth Moss, American horror writer Shirley Jackson and her husband (played by Michael Stuhlbarg) toy with a newlywed couple as Jackson begins writing a new masterpiece.

Sometimes Always Never

PG-13 -- $12

Played by Bill Nighy, tailor Alan tries to repair his relationship with his youngest son, Peter, while solving the mystery of an online Scrabble player who might be his missing son, Michael.

Tommaso

Not rated -- $12

American expatriate Tommaso wanders through life and the streets of Rome as he deals with his past, his self-esteem and an impaired grasp on reality. The 2019 film by Abel Ferrara is in Italian and English.

Ursula von Rydingsvard: Into Her Own

Not rated -- $9.99

The 2019 documentary goes behind the scenes with sculptor Ursula von Rydingsvard as she collaborates on new work and how her personal life has shaped her commitment to her art.

Video Blues

Not rated -- $4.99 -- Ends Tuesday

The film is free for Michigan Theather gold members and Ann Arbor Film Festival members.

Emma Tusell’s experimental Spanish-language film reconstructs Tusell’s family history and identity through home video and voice-overs.


About the Author
Sarah Parlette headshot

Sarah has worked for WDIV since June 2018. She covers community events, good eats and small businesses in Ann Arbor and has a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics from Grand Valley State University.

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