Moore writes: "Listed as #1 is the historic State Theatre of Traverse City, Michigan, an incredible movie palace which I restored and now run as a nonprofit theater - along with a few hundred great volunteers!"
Michael Moore standing in front of the Traverse City Theatre. (photo: AP)
08 June 13
his past week, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the main federation of Hollywood's six major studios, posted on their web site a list of what they believe are some of the best movie theaters in the world.
And listed as #1 is the historic State Theatre of Traverse City, Michigan, an incredible movie palace which I restored and now run as a nonprofit theater - along with a few hundred great volunteers!
This month, we will sell our one-millionth admission ticket since we opened five-and-a-half years ago. What makes this statistic even more remarkable is that Traverse City's year-round population here in remote northern Michigan is only 16,000 people. And mostly we show only "smaller" indie and foreign films that open nationwide on less than 200 screens.
Even with those limitations, in the 289 weeks we've been open, for 78 of those weeks, the State Theatre has been the #1 grossing theater in the country for the movie we happen to be showing. We've placed in the top 10 grossing cities for 171 of those weeks (the other cities on that list are usually New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, D.C., Dallas, Boston, etc.).
So how in the name of trees that are right height does this happen?
Here is our basic recipe:
(The paid positions, like the theater managers and our professional projectionists, are paid a good livable wage with full health benefits.)
Filmmakers from Wim Wenders to Paul Mazursky to David O. Russell have shown their films in person at the State, and they will tell you that the State Theatre is one of a kind. I tell them, "If they'd let us filmmakers design the theaters, the public would be amazed at the difference in the theater-going experience."
There's a lot more, but you get the picture. We've created a comfortable, pleasant place to disappear into the dark and be transported by an excellent movie. Shouldn't every town - especially the small ones - have this? We'd be happy to share with anyone who'd like our help.
In three years, in 2016, we'll celebrate the 100th anniversary of movies being shown on the site of the State Theatre in Traverse City, Michigan. If you love the cinema and if you are ever in our area, please stop by to experience what going to the movie palace was like many, many years ago.
We offer our deep appreciation to the Motion Picture Association of America for this honor of being named one of the best places in the world to see a movie.
Sincerely,
Michael Moore President, State Theatre and Traverse City Film FestivalBoard of Directors
Terry George (director, 'Hotel Rwanda,' Oscar winner) Larry Charles (director, 'Borat') Christine Lahti (actress, Oscar winner) Rod Birleson (co-producer, 'Roger & Me,' 'Sicko,' 'Capitalism: A Love Story') Sabina Guzanti (acclaimed Italian filmmaker and satirist) John Robert Williams (photographer)