BRUCE BAILLIE AT THE 50TH ANN ARBOR FILM FESTIVAL
The AAFF is proud to announce a special appearance by renowned avant-garde filmmaker Bruce Baillie at the 50th festival.
Baillie will be an honored guest presenting three programs of his work during the 50th anniversary running March 27th through April 1st, 2012.
In 1963, during the first AAFF a full program was devoted to Bruce Baillie's short films. Baillie and his work continued to be a strong and consistent presence through the first decade of the Festival.
Programs at the 50th AAFF will include such major works of Baillie's as QUIXOTE, QUICK BILLY, CASTRO STREET among others. A pioneer of the American avant-garde film movement, Baillie will discuss his work and his influence on film culture with the AAFF audience. The Festival is very honored to have Baillie here as he rarely travels for in person screenings.
The 82 year-old Baillie, originally from Aberdeen, South Dakota, began making work in 1960 with his first film ON SUNDAYS. CASTRO STREET, Baillie’s 1966 film was selected for preservation in 1992 by the United States National Film Registry. His filmography includes nearly 30 films that have screened all over the world.
In addition to his film work, Baillie founded Canyon Cinema, which today is the largest American distributor of experimental and avant-garde cinema. In 1961 Baillie began a screening series in his back yard together with Chick Strand and others. The series became the San Francisco Cinematheque, an acclaimed exhibitor of experimental film, digital media, and performance cinema that continues to this day. Baillie currently resides off the coast of Washington with his wife and two children.
