Film fest crawls with the offbeat

June 16, 2005

BY JOHN MONAGHAN - FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER

Did you hear the one about the 10-year-old boy who does Borscht Belt standup comedy? How about the animated spatulas in camouflage that stage a deadly offensive against homicidal wooden spoons?

Probably not, which is one reason why organizers of the Planet Ant Film & Video Festival can't imagine a world without the event. After nearly 300 people attended last year, organizers have expanded the festival from one night to four, screening offbeat titles at their tiny Planet Ant performance space in Hamtramck and at the larger Majestic Theatre in Detroit. "We've gone to this whole other level," says festival coordinator Mikey Brown, 37. "In the past it was about one guy basically picking these films to screen. Now we have a selection process, including awards, and while 40% is still Michigan, we are also showing movies from 15 countries."

Those concerned that the festival has lost its grass-roots appeal needn't worry. Instead of one guy, there are two (NateDuFort is the other) programming the films, while volunteers will help with the rest.

Among the highlights: Ryan Archibald's "Somebody's Watching Me," in which the actors sport mannequin heads; James Saldana's "Our Road to Kosovo," a documentary in which college students interview refugees; and Kevin Leeser's "Lily's Detroit," with actress Lily Tomlin recounting her formative years in Detroit.

A 90-minute compilation of videos from around the world screens at midnight Friday and after the 8 p.m. awards ceremony on Sunday.

On the jury are Keegan-Michael Key from Fox's "Mad TV," who directed Planet Ant's first play, and Larry Joe Campbell ("According to Jim") who was a member of Detroit's Second City troupe. Both will be in town for tonight's opening ceremonies.