In Person: Filmmakers Eric Zala, Chris Strompolos, Jayson Lamb
Thursday, July 14, 7:00
$10 ($8 Members, Seniors, Children)
After seeing George Lucas and Steven Spielberg’s
hit movie in 1981, three 10-year-old friends, Eric Zala, Chris Strompolos
and Jayson Lamb, began filming their own shot-by-shot adaptation
in the backyards of their Mississippi homes, carefully recreating the special
effects and costumes and recruiting their extras from classmates at local schools.
After eight years of production and a local premiere in 1988, the film was shelved
with a lot of other great childhood memories. However, just a few years ago, a
tenth generation video of the film crossed Spielberg’s desk. He saw it and
started a new round of interest in these three fans’ extraordinary labor
of love. In fact, Hollywood producer Scott Rudin has purchased
the screen rights to their story. For this rare screening of their original film,
we welcome all three filmmakers (now in their mid-30s) for a discussion with the
audience. As Ain’t It Cool News’ Harry Knowles wrote of the
film: “This is what fandom to me is all about, this sort of magic...
Be prepared to be blown away by pure magic!" (US 1981-1988) 110 min.
In Person: Filmmakers Eric Zala, Chris Strompolos, Jayson Lamb