Michael Moore coming to University of Michigan for "Roger and Me" anniversary

Michael Moore

Filmmaker Michael Moore will be in Ann Arbor this month for a public Q&A, following a free screening of his breakthrough first film, "Roger & Me" (1989), which documented the Flint native's attempts to talk with then-GM CEO Roger Smith about the local effects of downsizing and plant closings.

The University of Michigan screenwriting program is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the film. The event starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 18 in Angell Hall's Auditorium A, at 435 S. State St. Screenwriting department coordinator Jim Burnstein will introduce Moore at the beginning of the film, and before the Q&A.

The auditorium only seats 300, and the doors will open 15 minutes before the film's scheduled start time (first come, first seated). Given the immense popularity of previous local appearances by Moore — he has in the past easily filled the 1,700-seat Michigan Theater — I'd recommend getting there early. Really, really early.

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.