'Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation' to Have LA Premiere at Mann's Chinese

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 7:30 pm.

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. http://www.movietickets.com/movie_detail.asp?movie_id=46732&tstate=3&rel=&Sear

                    chZip=90028&ShowDate=6&SearchRadius=15
           (Please copy and paste the above link into your browser)

                     Admission: $12.  CHARITY FUNDRAISER.
  All proceeds to benefit the FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN FOUNDATION, a non-profit
               organization. http://www.festivalofchildren.org

    For downloadable images go to:
    Downloadable Raiders Adaptation Photos
    (http://www.savefile.com/files/1248742)

    For further event info:
    http://www.myspace.com/rollingboulderfilms

    VANITY FAIR Magazine feature:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2004/03/raiders200403?currentPage=1

    WIRED Magazine feature:
    http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/news/2007/05/diy_raiders

    Turner Classic Movies video segment:
    http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index/?cid=187535

    The Raider.net (includes clips & more):
    http://www.theraider.net/films/raiders_adaptation/index.php

    100 minutes                                                     Unrated

SOURCE Rolling Boulder Films

http://www.rollingboulderfilms.com