There’s good fan films and then there’s great fan films—and then there’s Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation. The feature film-length flick, made on video in the 1980s by three Mississippi teenagers, is the stuff of legend (and rightfully so), and now it’s going to play at the Mecca of movies, Mann’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, on Wednesday, May 14.
The story behind this jaw-dropping movie is so cool that I devoted an entire chapter to it in my upcoming fan film book, but the flick itself, it’s simply insane—and wonderful. The movie can be found on the internet if you look hard enough, but DON’T; ya gotta trust me on this one—see it with a crowd. Every so often, the guys behind it screen it in theaters, and it’s a hell of an experience to watch with an audience; it’s like seeing the original for the first time, all over again. I can’t imagine a better place to check it out than Mann’s, so here’s the scoop, straight from Chris Strompolos and Eric Zala themselves…after the jump.
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK: THE ADAPTATION
TO HAVE L.A. PREMIERE AT MANN’S CHINESE
All proceeds to benefit
the FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN FOUNDATION, a non-profit organization.
It took seven summers to make, required a cast of, well, dozens, and included the star’s first on and off-screen kiss, but Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation, has become a favorite of film festivals around the world. Scott Rudin bought the rights to the filmmakers’ story for a Paramount feature film, and Steven Spielberg to Eli Roth to Quentin Tarantino have declared themselves fans of the film. Now the 100-minute feature will make its Los Angeles premiere at Mann’s Chinese Theater, at a one-night-only screening on Wednesday, May 14 at 7:30pm.
Eric Zala and Chris Strompolos were just 12 years old when they set out to make their own shot-by-shot re-creation of Raiders of the Lost Ark. They finished at age 19. By saving up their allowances, hijacking younger siblings, and setting Eric’s basement on fire, they used astonishing ingenuity to make a film that is surprisingly entertaining, even stunning. It’s been hailed as the “greatest fan film yet” by Wired.com, “the best damn fan film I have ever seen… pure magic” by Harry Knowles, and “phenomenal” by Wes Craven.
For 15 years, Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation was nearly a forgotten masterpiece, until Harry Knowles obtained a copy from Eli Roth and screened it at his film festival. It became an instant phenomenon, featured in Vanity Fair, The Today Show, and NPR, but because of rights issues, the young filmmakers have carefully controlled the film’s venues.
“Due to copyright issues, revenue from the screenings of our film must go to a non-profit organization” noted Strompolos, “a reason why we’re very selective about where we screen.”
“We’ve shown this film all over the world,” says Zala,” and it’s still exciting to us to see the reaction. It makes the near-permanent loss of my eyebrows during filming well worth it.”
Scott Rudin purchased their story rights and the feature film about their childhood adventures, with Daniel Clowes (Ghost World) penning the script is in active development by Paramount.
Wednesday, May 14 — 7:30 PM
Mann’s Chinese Theater
6925 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Tickets are available to purchase in advance online at the Mann Theatre
website, at the Mann Chinese Theatre Box Office or call 323.461.3331.
Admission: $12. CHARITY FUNDRAISER.
All proceeds to benefit the FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN FOUNDATION,
a non-profit organization. http://www.festivalofchildren.org
Open to public
Choice seating for VIP, Industry & Press available.
Please email [email protected]
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