
Flint Mayor Seeks Help With City Water From the White House
by: Bre'Anna TinsleyFlint Mayor Dayne Walling has written to the White House requesting that it works with local officials to improve the city’s water system.
Flint Mayor Dayne Walling has written to the White House requesting that it works with local officials to improve the city’s water system.
Did you watch The Interview? Laura speaks with Aspen Public Radio's Rob St. Mary, co-host of The Projection Booth Podcast, about the cultural and business impact of Sony's controversial movie.
Laura examines our cultural fascination with zombies, from its historical origins in Haiti to the social factors that contribute to our creepy love affair with the undead.
The Sundance Institute is bringing its “Film Forward” program to the region this week. It offers independent film screenings with guided discussions from the film-makers.
Culture City host Travis Wright sits down with The Right Brothers, a prolific dude duo who create stylized music videos for many of Detroit most celebrated contemporary musicians.
The new Batman and Superman film had a few streets closed off today for filming. We snapped a few pictures of the set.
Craig speaks with Shane Bitney Crone, the subject of the documentary Bridegroom, about his personal journey from heartbreak to healing, and what he hopes audiences will learn from his experience.
This weekend Hollywood's heaviest hitters -- iconic composer John Williams and legendary director Steven Spielberg -- performed live with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at a benefit that raised more than a million dollars.
Four local up and coming filmmakers join Craig to discuss the current state of producing smaller films in Detroit
The 48 Hour Film Project comes to Detroit, July 18 - 20. Filmmakers will compete in writing, shooting, editing, and scoring a short film in only 48 hours.
The latest edition of the X Men film franchise -- Days of Future Past -- is based on comic book stories created by writer Chris Claremont. This weekend Metro Detroiters can gain insight into the thoughts that brought the story into being when Claremont appears at the Motor City Comic Con in Novi.
Hundreds of filmmakers, non-profit organizations, and individuals will document stories in Detroit on the same day. Filmmaker Stephen McGee and producer Brandon Litman talk about why their bringing this "One Day in Detroit" to life.
Tom Skerritt returns to his hometown and is in studio, discusses his career and current projects. He's speaking at Wayne State University's Department of Theatre and Dance this evening.
Andy Cohn, director and Ann Arbor native, calls in to discuss his film screening "Medora" on Detroit Public Television.
Tonight marks the beginning of Detroit Free Press's inaugural film festival. The festival's Executive Director and Free Press Arts & Entertainment editor Steve Byrne gives us more information.
Director and national Emmy award winning video journalist, Brian Kaufman, talks about his film Packard: The Last Shift, which premieres at the Detroit Free Press Film Festival this weekend.
Robert Wagner has co-written a new book called “You Must Remember This. Life and Style in Hollywood’s Golden Age.”
Detroit filmmaker Colin Duerr has just completed a musical short film titled “John Panich is Dead.” But Panich isn’t fictitious. And he’s not dead. He’s a local musician known as JP from the HP. Duerr and Panich spoke about the project with WDET’s Travis Wright.
Another quiz from WDET! This time the Craig Fahle Show honors the late actor/writer/director Harold Ramis.
Director Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams will reunite for a benefit concert at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Actor Danny Glover talks with WDET's Martina Guzman about why he joined Brad Pitt and Russell Simmons in producing The House I Live In. The documentary explores America’s war on drugs and premieres tonight at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
"Comprehensive in scope, heart wrenching in its humanity, and brilliant in its thesis, Jarecki's new film grabs viewers and shakes them to their core. The House I Live In is not only the definitive film on the failure of America’s drug war, but it is also a masterpiece filled with hope and the potential to effect change. This film is surely destined for the annals of documentary history."- Sundance Institute
Heidi Euing and Rachel Grady, the directors of "The Boys of Baraka" and "Jesus Camp" profile a young Muslim boy living in Hamtramck.
Curator Elliot Wilhelm discusses 40 years of independent film at the Detroit Film Theater at The DIA.
Actress Carey Mulligan sits down with WDET's Laura Weber-Davis to chat about her upcoming film Inside Llewlyn Davis.
With the Christmas holiday fast approaching, there are a few things you can bank on seeing: crowded stores with long lines, homes draped with Christmas decor, and holiday films on television.
Movie critic Jeff Meyers from the Metro Times reviews The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and fills us in on the winners of The Detroit Film Critics Society annual awards.
Detroit Public Television's latest documentary, "Detroit Art City,” promises a behind-the-scenes look at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Ed Moore is the executive producer of documentary programs with Detroit Public Television. He tells WDET's Travis Wright how the film examines last year’s campaign for a millage to fund the museum and its precarious position in Detroit’s bankruptcy.
There are 12 Federally recognized Native American tribes in the state of Michigan. Filmmaker Audrey Geyer joins WDET's Martina Guzman to discuss her new film and talks about the myths that Michigan Indians have disappeared and revisits the horrors of the period known as the Boarding School Era.
The Holidays also herald the arrival of Oscar season. Jeff Meyers, managing editor of MetroMode, tells us which movies look like winners.
An ongoing exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts celebrates the art of animation, where even comic book cartoons have become serious business.
Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu in film classic "Its A Wonderful Life" comes to Detroit.
The Kresge Foundation accepts applications for fellowships in the arts each year.
A new movie called Detroit Unleaded is premiering this week at Detroit Film Theater. The film, directed by Rola Nashef has received many favorable reviews and has won several awards at film festivals.
WDET's Martina Guzman talked to director and psychologist Judith Burdick about "Transforming Loss", a documentary which chronicles the different ways that individuals deal with loss.
The Birmingham 8 and The Palladium host the Uptown Film Festival November 7-9.
WDET's Laura Weber-Davis talk to the listeners and Craig about what movie scares YOU the most.
Animation has become wildly popular. Films like “The Lion King,” "Shrek,”and “Monsters Inc” have grossed hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide. But where did this big money business begin?
The largest wave of Americans, around 77 million, will be heading into retirement in the next 15 years. Industries, like Hollywood, are taking notice and making adjustments to appeal to the older generations.
Sam Logan Khaleghi is an Iranian-American filmmaker who was born in Tehran and raised in the city limits of Detroit.
It's been 50 years since Paper Lions was released. Fifty years ago this summer George Plimpton tried out as a quarterback for the Lions at their training camp at Cranbrook that formed the basis for Paper Lion, first published in 1965.
How much does poverty dictate the future for a young person? Is there a predetermined outcome, or can the cycle of poverty be broken? A new film follows four students trying over overcome the odds in the pursuit of college.
How did the events of September 11 affect a new immigrant to the United States from the Middle East who has the same name as a suspected terrorist? That is the story told in a new film called “The Citizen” premiering at the Emagine in Royal Oak on September 25 by writer and director Sam Kadi.
Looking to change the conversation about Detroit and other post-industrial cities around the world, Lean, Mean & Green takes viewers across the Rust Belt and Europe to showcase cities transforming into sustainable communities.
Poet, musician and actor Saul Williams, on a phone from Harlem with WDET's Travis Wright, comments on the state of hip hop, his new film, and how he shifts between musical and the poetic modes.
The MOCAD presents "The Pleasure of Sound" a film featuring Jad Abumrad and Matthew Dear
Members of the African American community have compared the of Killing of Trayvon Martin to murder of Emmett Till. Find out why people are making this comparison.
Follow an extraordinary polar bear mother on the ultimate journey of love and survival.
Big budget movies have not had stunning success this summer, while smaller productions are raking in the cash. Film critic Jeff Meyers sheds light on why.
Academy Award winning director Michael Moore describes how he reacted upon learning about Detroit bankruptcy to WDET's Travis Wright.
Director Christie Herring tells the story of Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage and ignited a movement.
The Redford Theatre celebrates its grand re-opening with a special screening of Mary Poppins. Disney Historian Jim Korkis gives listeners a sneak peak behind the classic film.
Craig speaks with Filmmaker Jordan Thierry about his new documentary, "The Black Fatherhood Project." The introspective film focuses on the issue of fatherless Black families. Thierry discusses how his life experiences have given him insight in to the issue.
Director of the Detroit Film Theatre, Elliot Wilhelm speaks with Craig about the Cinetopia International Film Festival. The festival features over 40 of the best dramas, comedies, and documentaries from the world's most recognized film festivals. The festival also includes presentations, discussion panels, and Q&A sessions prior to the festival and following.
Actor, activist and film maker Edward James Olmos and Martina Guzman discuss the roles of latinos in Hollywood over the past 40 years.
From Iron Man 3 to The Great Gatsby, Jeff Meyers of the Metro Times highlights the must-see movies of the summer.
Capella Fahoome, Executive Producer of the documentary "Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey" describes the genesis of her film. The documentary details the comeback of the band Journey, and the real-life rock ‘n’ roll fairy tale of new frontman Filipino Arnel Pineda. Fahoome also discusses her Detroit roots and what it's like touring with the band.
Writer, Producer and Illustrator Chris Millis won the 23rd Annual International 3-Day Novel Writing Contest with his novel, "Small Apartments". Millis joins Craig to chat about his book and how it turned into an independent film starring Billy Crystal.
Jeff Meyers of Metro Times stops by the studio to give us a retrospective look on the legacy of movie critic Roger Ebert.
"Come with me, and you'll be, in a world of pure imagination." Actors Pete Ostrum and Paris Themmen, known for their rolls as Charlie Bucket and Mike Teevee in "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory", chat with Craig about their upcoming appearance at the Redford Theater for a special screening of the film. Ostrum and Themmen will sign autographs in the lobby before the show and during intermission.
The Metro Times stops by for their weekly segment. This week, writer Brett Callwood stops by to discuss his cover article which profiles local actor Bruce Campbell.
Craig sits down with Jeff Meyers, Film Critic for the Metro Times, and WDET's Rob St. Mary to discuss the nominees and who they feel should take home an Oscar.
Last week, the Craig Fahle Show had a discussion about how the Vietnam experiences of John Kerry and Chuck Hagel could inform their point of view toward U.S. policy. Today, Craig Fahle & WDET's Rob St. Mary talk about Vietnam in film and what it says to us about our own feelings on the war, the people who fought it and recent war film.
H.G. Manos, writer/director/producer of "The Purple Gang", is scheduled to appear at a screening of the film at the Berman Center for Performing Arts. Manos talks with Craig about the documentary, which highlights the rise and fall of Detroit's Prohibition gang.
A film featuring the work of 25 directors is getting another screening in Detroit before it’s released on video later this week. The feature is called “The Owner” and was developed by Detroit filmmaker Marty Shea. He spoke to WDET’s Rob St. Mary.
Alfred E. Neuman is getting his close up from a Detroit area filmmaker. Alan Bernstein is the director of a new documentary about MAD Magazine. “When We Went MAD” interviews many of the creators who have made a scrappy little magazine with a comic book past into an influence on popular culture and humor in America. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Bernstein about the film.
To say comedy is in Pauly Shore’s DNA is an understatement. His parents opened L.A.’s legendary club “The Comedy Store” where every major comedian over the last 40 years have performed on their way to stardom. Shore came into his own under the mentorship of controversial comic Sam Kinison and became a staple on MTV in the late 1980s/early 1990s. Since then, Shore has starred in movies, on TV and has a new special called “Pauly-Tics”. He’ll be at the Magic Bag in Ferndale tomorrow evening for two shows.
The end of the year is the time when Hollywood tries to pack the movie houses full of films vying for awards attention. Metro Times film critic Jeff Meyers spoke recently to WDET’s Rob St. Mary about what’s worth the time for movie goers this holiday season.
Metro Detroit’s only monthly independent film festival turns eight years old in 2013. The Mitten Movie Project is curated by local filmmaker and producer Connie Mangilin. She spoke recently to WDET’s Rob St. Mary.
The Detroit Film Critics Society is announcing its picks for best of 2012. Metro Times film critic Jeff Meyers is president of the group. He spoke recently to WDET’s Rob St. Mary.
“I don’t tend to analyze what I’ve done. I can’t really… I’m not entirely sure why I have succeeded, why I have been able to cut out a career in show business for over 30 years and why I still have a real hardcore fan base that has stuck with me. If there’s any secret, it’s just not to do anything that feels wrong for you.” – Chris Elliott, actor/writer/comedian
WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Elliott about this new book, his work on “Get A Life” – featuring his father, Bob Elliott of the well-known 1950s comedy team “Bob & Ray” – and his most recent TV work.
Car guru Paul Eisenstein talks to Craig about the James Bond's cars throughout the decades.
A new book on a legendary pop culture character takes a look at why we embrace the heroes we do. “Superman: the High-flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero” is the latest book by author Larry Tye. He’ll be in the Metro Detroit area talking about the book this weekend. Tye spoke recently to WDET’s Rob St. Mary.
Fans of comics, sci-fi and other pop culture will find creators and vendors galore as part of this year’s Detroit Fanfare. The annual convention kicks off this evening at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn. Dennis Barger is one of the organizers of the event. He spoke to WDET’s Rob St. Mary
And while the party on Saturday may be over, it was only alive for eight hours, the sights, sounds and connections made will live on inside the revelers and the volunteer crew that makes it happen.
Former NFL star and media personality Alex Karras has died.
Craig talks to actress Tippi Hedren about her life as an actress and what she is doing now.
The searing documentary film "Burn: One Year on the Front Lines of the Battle To Save Detroit" premieres in the city on Sept. 28, and the film's director / producer Tom Putnam and producer / director Brenna Sanchez talk to Craig about the process of making their film and the upcoming screening at the Fillmore Detroit.
Jeff Meyers is the managing editor of Metromode and its sister publication, Concentrate. He is also a film critic for Detroit's Metro Times. Jeff joins Craig in the studio to talk about his trip to the Toronto Film Festival and review some of movies being released this Fall.
In those almost 20 years, I’ve observed – first as a patron, then an employee of the Main Art Theatre around 1999/2000 – how store fronts changed. Local businesses became national chains, at times, and old stores became new boutiques and bistros.
But, I’m sure that if you live in Royal Oak you have seen more than just these cosmetic and economic changes.
A Warren native is returning home to screen his latest film. Greg James is the co-writer, director and producer of “The Joint” – a day in the life comedy involving a medical marijuana dispensary. The Wayne State University graduate spoke to WDET’s Rob St. Mary about making the low-budget independent film which screens Thursday night at the Main Art Theater in Royal Oak.
In 1988, Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Errol Morris’s film “The Thin Blue Line” helped to release an innocent man from Texas’s death row. Today, his latest book – “A Wilderness of Error: the Trials of Jeffrey MacDonald” – could do the same. Morris’s book investigates a murder case that put the Green Beret doctor behind bars for the killing of his family in North Carolina in 1970. The story was the basis for two other books and a popular 1984 TV mini-series called “Fatal Vision”. Morris spoke to WDET’s Rob St. Mary about his book, the nature of truth and how his investigation shows MacDonald should be released from prison.
A Detroit filmmaker has been invited to show her first feature at the Toronto International Film Festival this week. Since the announcement, several reviewers have called Rola Nashef’s “Detroit Unleaded” one of the top films to see at the festival. Before heading to Toronto, she spoke to WDET’s Rob St. Mary about writing and directing her first feature.
Craig speaks with Tommy Stephens, Owner of The Raven Lounge, and Chrystal Starr about their part in the upcoming documentary "Detropia".
WDET's Martina Guzman speaks with filmmaker Michael Moore about the Traverse City Film Festival.
It seems like every summer comic book characters invade the screens at the multiplex. This summer’s big films include “The Avengers” and “The Dark Knight Rises”. But, a small, long-running comic from a local artist makes its way to the big screen this summer. Hamtramck resident Matt Feazell is the creator of “The Amazing Cynicalman” – a strip that’s been running for over 30 years. Wednesday evening he’ll be screening his independently produced live action film version of Cynicalman at Green Brain Comics in Dearborn. Feazell spoke recently to WDET’s Rob St. Mary.
Detroiters are expressing shock and sorrow following last night’s shooting at the opening of the new Batman movie, “The Dark Knight Rises.” Some say they may avoid the film because of the shooting.
The Detroit Windsor International Film Festival is back for its fifth year. The festival starts tomorrow and runs through Saturday on the Wayne State University campus. Suzanne Janik is Director of Operations for the festival. She spoke recently to WDET’s Rob St. Mary - who is also a judge for the upcoming festival.
Starting today at the Detroit Institute of Arts, a new photography exhibit opens featuring the work of someone known better for her music and poetry - Patti Smith
Smith spent time yesterday morning with the media at the DIA. WDET’s Rob St. Mary was one of the reporters who attended and was able to tour the exhibit with Smith leading the way. He talked to WDET's Pat Batcheller about the tour, the photos and more.
Michigan Filmmaker of the Year in 2011, Amy Weber, is making a new film on bullying.
Numerous legends of film and television convene in Novi this weekend for the 23rd Motor City Comic Con.
The Avengers opens tonight, and it's the fist of many movies opening in the next couple of months. We'll talk about the movies expected to be blockbusters, and some flying under the radar we may want to check out.
Some of the latest movies from Europe’s boot will shine on the silver screen this weekend in Metro Detroit.
WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke recently to Wayne State Professor Elena Past. She is one of the coordinators of the Italian Film Festival.
The festival ends its run in Metro Detroit on Sunday.
WDET's Amy Miller speaks with the Director Olivier Morel about Best Documentary Film at the Uptown Film Festival On the Bridge.
A southeast Michigan cultural institution is celebrating 50 years of cutting edge film, this week.
The Ann Arbor Film Festival started in 1962. So organizers are taking the long view with this year’s celebrations of five decades of cinema.
This Southeast Michigan Drive In has beat the odds and stayed open. WDET spent a weekend finding out what it's like today.
WDET's Rob St. Mary and Amy Miller have read the book, they've heard the hype and are looking forward to the film release. Now it's time for them to talk about "The Hunger Games" with Craig.
Pixo Entertainment CEO Sean Hurwitz talks about his thriving Southfield firm and the future of the film industry with fewer the incentives for Hollywood but increased incentive for businesses like Pixo.
“I knew from the day we started that they (the City of Detroit) were going to come eventually… without a doubt. You can’t do this on the scale that we were doing it and not raise some eyebrows eventually.” – Ken Poirier, Co-Creator of Theatre Bizarre
Theatre Bizarre creators John Dunivant and Ken Poirier say they don’t expect their annual, underground masquerade to return to its original location inside a burned out residential neighborhood near the vacant Michigan State Fairgrounds again.
Craig welcomes Daniel Falconer and Andrew Rodney, writers and producers of DEFORCE: America's Past, Detroit's Future, to talk about the new film "Deforce" which premiers at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
Filmmaker Sasha Reuther joins Craig to talk about his new film "Brothers on the Line" that premiered yesterday at the Birmingham Palladium.
The second annual Uptown Film Festival is March 8th through 11th in Birmingham, including discussions on the current trends and issues affecting Michigan's film scene.
WDET's Rob St. Mary joins Craig in-studio to discuss last night's Academy Awards.
Detroit documentary filmmaker, Lerone Wilson, speaks about his film, "Colored Frames." The documentary exposes racism within the world of art galleries and explores the influences, inspirations and experiences of black artists.
The biggest night in Hollywood is Sunday, the Oscars.
WDET's resident movie geek, Rob St. Mary, wants to chat with you as the night unfolds.
Detroit singer/songwriter Rodriguez worked for decades without much notice. Then, in the late 1990s, he found out that his early 1970s albums had a huge following overseas – especially in Australia and South Africa. Last month, a documentary about Rodriguez premiered at Sundance Film Festival, winning awards and rave reviews. The film “Waiting for Sugar Man” was also picked up at the festival by Sony Pictures Classics and is expected to be released later this year. Rodriguez recently stopped by WDET to share the news. Excited about the new developments, Rodriguez often clutched at his newspapers as he spoke to WDET’s Rob St. Mary.
Craig welcomes Detroit-area poet and Associate Director of the Center for Chicano-Boricua Studies Ethriam Brammer and Jacqueline Vazquez, the president of WSU's El Salon de Nuestra Cultura student organization. The organization is screening the documentary "Precious Knowledge", Friday, February 17, in WSU's General Lectures Building.
MetroTimes Movie Critic Jeff Meyers joins Craig to discuss Star Wars 3-D and other re-releases of popular movies in the 3-D format. Craig takes listener calls on whether or not you're excited to see Star Wars again in 3-D.
Andrew Bowler & Gigi Causey, the husband & wife duo who made, "Time Freak," joins Craig to talk about the movie and the Oscar nomination.
Sad news from the art world today, a respected contemporary artist, and Detroit native, Mike Kelley has died. He was 57. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Travis Wright about Kelley. Rob interviewed with Kelley recently.
Craig talks Academy Award nominations with Breanne Heldman of MTV's Nextmovie.com.
Elliot Wilhelm, from the Detroit Film Theatre joins Craig to preview the Detroit Film Theatre's 2012 film series.
A Detroit writer who has been creating his own underground publication of true stories… is collaborating with an internationally known contemporary artist and filmmaker for the latest issue. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke recently to Steve Hughes, the creator of “Stupor”, about his latest issue featuring art and design by Matthew Barney.
Craig is joined by the Metro Times' movie critic, Jeff Meyers, to discuss any and all movies in theaters this holiday season.
A new documentary about the punk/funk band Fishbone opens in Detroit this week. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Chris Meltzer – the director of “Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone” which starts a weekend run at the Cass City Cinema on Thursday.
Craig talks to filmmaker, Mike Ramsdell, about his documentary, "The Conflict Minerals Project," currently in-production,
A documentary about a year in the life of the Detroit Fire Department called “BURN” is heading towards the finish line. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to producers and directors Brenna Sanchez and Tom Putnam about the last developments with the film including the addition of comedian/actor Denis Leary as a producer.
Join Craig as he welcomes Parrish Smith, Executive Producer and Director of The Scroll. The movie is showing at The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History this weekend and you can go for free. Listen to the show and be ready for some Detroit area trivia to win a four-pack of tickets to the event on November 19th as well as a gift certificate for the Museum.
This week, an Ann Arbor art collective from the 1970s will be recognized in a retrospective show at a Los Angeles gallery. WDET’s Rob St. Mary takes a look at Destroy All Monsters.
A Christmas Story is coming to Detroit. The popular holiday favorite is getting a Broadway makeover and coming to the Fisher Theatre as a musical. Craig welcomes Justin Paul, one half of the production's music team. The U-of-M grad is responsible for writing the music.
The group that started the Burton Theatre in Detroit, which closed this spring, says it’s preparing to broaden it’s effort and re-open in a new neighborhood. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Nathan Faustyn, Jeff Else and Brandon Walley about the new “Corktown Cinema”.
An event taking place at the Magic Bag in Ferndale on Thursday is being billed as a battle between “found” objects. In one corner is the creators of Ann Arbor based Found Magazine, who collect misplaced notes, pictures and materials. In the other corner are the creators of Wisconsin based Found Footage Festival, who collect odd and humorous videos. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Nick Prueher of the Found Footage Festival about his love of unloved VHS tapes and this week’s event.
Michigan Radio's Rick Pluta joins Craig to discuss the expected repeal of Michigan motorcycle helmet law, film incentives and a bill on anti-bullying legislation.
Filmmaker and archivist, Rick Prelinger, joins Craig to discuss his film, "Lost Landscapes of Detroit."
The Ferndale Film Festival is returning for another year. The celebration of independent film – local and international – runs Wednesday through Sunday at some new locations… even beyond the Ferndale city limits. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to organizers Suzanne Janik and Bill Urich about this year’s event.
WDET is unveiling its “Crossing the Lines” series this morning. It’s an in-depth exploration of what unites us and divides us as people and as a region.
Throughout the year, we’ve been mapping the region’s beliefs, behaviors, and the language codes people use to unite and divide.
We’ve focused on issues of inclusion, exclusion, geographical boundaries and efforts to bridge those boundaries.
Our goal is to bring new perspectives and a more inclusive range of voices and views to discussing those issues that limit the region’s potential.
Detroit’s image has long been an issue that divides the region’s residents.
As part of our "Crossing The Lines" series, WDET’s Rob St. Mary has created a sound collage of media references and perceptions of Detroit over the past 50 years.
A new movie theatre is opening this weekend inside the old Burton International School in Detroit. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to organizers Joel Landy and Erin McDonald about the new Cass City Cinema - which is slated to open in the former Burton Theatre location. .
Halloween starts early this weekend at the Redford Theatre with a screening of the 1960’s horror comedy “Munster, Go Home”. The non-profit community movie house on Detroit’s Northwest side is hosting actor Butch Patrick of the 60s cult TV show “The Munsters” as part of the event. Patrick was cast as “Eddie” the wolf boy on the show. Patrick talks to WDET's Rob St. Mary about those times, what he's doing today and this weekend's event.
“It’s a struggle to make it. It’s a struggle once you do make it, to stay there and it’s a struggle to survive even if things go down. It ever ends. And all I want to do is just keep doing it. I’ve been living the dream and I’m so grateful and every moment is being appreciated ten times to the level it might have been if I had made it when I was young.” - Steve "Lips" Kudlow, guitarist/lead singer of Anvil
Craig hosts a Rhapsody in Boop panel discussion, featuring the star of the theatrical performance, vocalist, Kathy Kosins, as well as President of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Juanita Moore, Detroit Film Theatre Curator Elliot Wilhelm, and Michigan Opera House Founder and Director of Community Programs and Learning, Karen DiChiera.
Writer and artist Frank Miller has created some of the most beloved stories in the hearts of comic book fans over the past 30 years. The rebooting of “Daredevil” to “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns” to “Sin City” and “300”, Miller has created acclaimed stories. Several of them have gone on to become Hollywood blockbusters. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Miller about his latest work, “Holy Terror” which puts September Eleventh and the War on Terrorism in the realm of costumed heroes.
This past weekend, the Detroit Fanfare, a comic book and pop culture convention took place at Cobo Center. One of the guests was actor/director Peter Weller. The star of “Robocop” met up with some of the people responsible for raising the money to build a statue in Detroit in honor of the character. WDET’s Rob St. Mary met up with Weller Saturday night at the Lager House in Corktown where supporters of the Robocop statue were holding a party to support local food pantry “Forgotten Harvest”. Weller talked about his thoughts on Detroit, the Detroit Tigers, Robocop - the film and the statue effort, his current work directing the show "Sons of Anarchy" and working on his PhD in Art History at UCLA.
The Ann Arbor Film Festival turns 50 in the coming year. Leading up to the anniversary, the festival is hosting a series of monthly screenings of some of the important and influential films to come through over the past five decades. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Donald Harrison, the executive director of the Ann Arbor Film Festival.
A new exhibition opens Friday night at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit in Midtown. It’s the second part of the show entitled, “Barely There”. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Luis Crouquer (Crocker) – the Director and Chief Curator of MOCAD – in the spring about the first part of the concept. Today, he follows up with a look at “Barely There 2”.
All this week WDET has been looking at the September Eleventh attacks and how they have affected us… ten-years later. Filmmaker and adventurer Paul Daniels has been to Antarctica three times. During his second time there, wintering over at the South Pole, the September Eleven terrorist attacks took place. He spoke to WDET’s Rob St. Mary about the experience and the film he made during that time.
As we approach the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks, WDET’s Rob St. Mary went looking for some perspectives in the art world. Rob spoke recently with Pontiac based artist Jef Bourgeau about his thoughts on the use of 9/11 in art and a gallery show he hosted in early 2002, about six months after the event, at the Museum of New Art called “Ground Zero”.
Over the past few weeks I have been looking for various perspectives looking back on the September 11th attacks from the community and the arts.
“The Residents” are a multi-media music/art group that has been around nearly 40 years. During that time, no one has learned their identity. It’s part of their idea – that the art is more important than the personalities making it.
So, I offer you this interview with Hardy Fox of the Cryptic Corporation. Cryptic is the management company which handles “The Residents”.
Fox spoke to me via Skype about “The Residents”, the group’s 2002 album “Demons Dance Alone” – which was created in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, and about how artists could/do use the events and aftermath ten years on from that day.
Michigan Writer/Director Perry Janes discusses his new project, "Zug: A Short Film."
The on-line fundraising effort for a documentary on Detroit’s underground carnival, Theatre Bizarre, ends tomorrow. But the filmmakers aren’t sure they’ll meet their goal. WDET’s Rob St. Mary sat down recently with filmmakers Per Frankell and Gary Bredow to talk about the latest developments on the film and the fundraising efforts.
Throughout comedy history duos have been a winning combination. Think Martin and Lewis or Cheech and Chong or Harold and Kumar. Today, WDET’s Rob St. Mary introduces us to Ed and Moe, the brain child of a Dearborn filmmaker whose internet show is attracting attention locally and beyond.
If you are an African American, are you sick and tired of seeing black women portrayed as maids? Is the success of this book and film a triumph, or insult added to the injury? Give us a call at (313)577-1019 and tell us.
The party store is a staple of the Metro Detroit retail experience and it appears to be fertile ground for a Detroit raised filmmaker. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to writer-director Joe Doughrity and producer Dwight Patillo about their film “Cornerstore” which opens locally on Friday.
At the bare minimum, do yourself a favor and spent six minutes to watch the Nixon short because I think Curtis's film has a lot to say about the mindset and political climate we find ourselves in today.
All the talk today about a heat wave coming over the next week to the Detroit area has me thinking about films that mean summer.
A local techno DJ and filmmaker is currently working on a documentary about female DJs, like her, and what it takes to make it in a music dominated by men.
WDET’s Rob St. Mary sat down recently with DJ Jenny LaFemme to talk about her project.
The Burton Theatre – which closed in the spring – lives on in exile… popping up in different locations around Metro Detroit. WDET’s Rob St. Mary talked recently with Nathan Faustyn – one of the coordinators for the Burton Theatre – about his efforts to keep their film series viable.
What crowd funding opportunities have you taken part in or are you excited about?
Earlier this week I did a story about the history of Theatre Bizarre and the new effort to create a documentary about "the greatest masquerade on earth".
So, Thursday night I headed over to the Crofoot in Pontiac to check out the scene.
A documentary about Detroit’s legendary rock band the MC5 has been completed but the producers need a little help securing the music rights. So, an on-line effort is underway now through the 4th of July to raise the funds needed to bring the feature to screens worldwide. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to one of the coordinators of the effort – Freddie Brooks.
The creators of the underground Halloween party known as Theatre Bizarre have spent the better part of the past decade transforming a section of a blighted, burned out neighborhood in the City of Detroit into a one night carnival. With stages, a roller coaster and even a Ferris wheel, Theatre Bizarre is a circus sideshow come alive. That was until city officials shut it down last fall. WDET’s Rob St. Mary recently caught up with the creators, who call their concept “the greatest masquerade on earth”, to talk about the future of their creation.
The fourth annual Detroit Windsor International Film Festival takes place this week on the Wayne State University campus. WDET’s Rob St. Mary recently talked to festival organizer Suzanne Janik and local filmmaker Jeffery Schultz about the festival.
A new documentary opens in Detroit this weekend made by someone known for appearing in fake documentaries. Actor and comedian Harry Shearer’s new project is called “The Big Uneasy” and investigates how New Orleans flooded following Hurricane Katrina. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Shearer by phone yesterday.
Eighteen bands will come together in Detroit on Saturday and battle – sonically, speaking – from two stages at the Lager House in Corktown while the cameras roll. WDET’s Rob St. Mary reports on the making a local concert film – “Urgh: A Detroit Music War”.
Starting Thursday night at the Detroit Film Theatre, the Oscar-winning editor of such modern classics as “The Conversation”, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Star Wars” – Richard Chew – will host a series of four double features and a discussion on the art of film editing.
Craig sits down with Maxine Gordon and Editor of B.L.A.C. Magazine, Lori Robinson, to talk about a special 25th Anniversary screening of "Round Midnight."
In the mid-1980s, two Wayne State University students started a magazine which covered the underground and independent film scene. Eventually, it with international. But in 1997 Film Threat Magazine ceased publication and became web only. Now, 14 years later, the current owner and publisher of Film Threat - Mark Bell – is seeking a return to print.
The second annual Detroit Independent Film Festival kicks off this weekend. Today, WDET’s Rob St. Mary introduces us to a young filmmaker who’s not only pursuing his own career… but is helping others like him in the process.
Next week, Detroit artist and musician Matthew Ellison the Second will screen three new short films at the Mitten Movie Project’s Zombie Night in Royal Oak. Today, WDET’s Rob St. Mary introduces us to Ellison and takes us deep inside his creation, Electric Otto’s Funk Factory.