Michigan Theater is partnering with Wine Enthusiast Magazine to offer a special film series focused on the world of wine on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., April 29-May 27. Both wine and film are full sensory experiences, transporting us to another place, offering enjoyment, education and discovery. The Michigan Theater presents five visually beautiful stories of wine and wine production, followed by tastings of special wines with special guests after each screening (for those 21 or over.) The overall series is sponsored by Cinzano, Ferrari and Alta Luna, with additional sponsors for each film.
Advance tickets available at ticketweb.com.
The schedule of films is:
April 29: "Somm"
With unprecedented access, "Somm" takes the viewer on humorous, emotional and illuminating look into a mysterious world – the Court of Master Sommeliers and the massively intimidating Master Sommelier Exam. The documentary was directed by Jason Wise. This screening is sponsored by Ann Arbor's own Taste Kitchen.
May 6: "You Will Be My Son (Tu seras mon fils)"
Passionate about wine and his work, Paul, the proprieter of his family's prestigious wine estate, is disheartened by the thought that his son will inherit the business and the fact that his hard-working estate manager is dying. Paul rejects his own son to groom another to be the heir to the estate. Work, love and wine all play key roles in this family drama. French with subtitles.
May 13: "A Year in Champagne"
With renowned wine importer Martine Saunier as our guide, we get a rare glimpse behind the scenes into the real Champagne through six houses, from small independent makers like Champagne Saint-Chamant, where each bottle is still turned by hand in the cellars, to the illustrious houses of Gosset and Bollinger.
May 20: "Red Obsession"
For more than three centuries, Bordeaux wines have held an almost mythical status as symbols of wealth, power and influence. Recently the prices for the prestige red wines have been skyrocketing as something unprecedented happens to the Bordeaux fine wine market – and that something is China. Narrated by Russell Crow, this documentary explores the Bordeaux phenomenon and what moves people to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a single bottle of wine.
May 27: "Sideways"
A wine tasting road trip to salute Jack's (Thomas Haden Church) final days as a bachelor careens woefully sideways as he and Miles (Paul Giamatti) hit the gas en route to mid-life crises. The comically mismatched pair, who share little more than their history and a heady blend of failed potential and fading youth, soon find themselves drowning in wine and women (Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen). Emerging from a haze of Pinot Noir, wistful yearnings and trepidation about the future, the two inevitably collide with reality. Directed by Alexander Payne (Election,The Descendants).
Now celebrating its 88th year, the Michigan Theater is Ann Arbor's award-winning non-profit historic center for fine film and performing arts. The Michigan Theater welcomes more than 250,000 visitors each year to its art house films, concerts, lectures, live theater and special programs such as Sundance Film Festival USA and Cinetopia International Film Festival. The Michigan Theater also owns and operates the historic State Theater located just up the street at 233 State Street. The Michigan Theater is located in downtown Ann Arbor at 603 E. Liberty St. Visit michtheater.org or call the 24-hour information line at 734-668-TIME for schedule and ticket information.
Wine Enthusiast Magazine was founded in 1988, bringing consumers vital information on the world of wine, with hundreds of wine reviews in every issue and comprehensive coverage of wine and lifestyle topics peripheral to wine, such as entertaining, travel, restaurants and notable sommeliers. Published 14 times a year, the magazine garners 2.4 million impressions each issue worldwide and in 2014, underwent a complete redesign and relaunch to address the growing, more mainstream culture of wine and spirits in America. The accompanying Web site, Winemage.com, showcases wine education and tens of thousands of new reviews yearly, in addition to original content on food and wine pairing, wine travel and celebrity wine personalities, among other topics.
