The first ever UK screening of the cult classic Raiders of the Lost Ark - The Adaptation [PG]. The charity premiere at Vue West End, Leicester Square will take place on 28th April 2009 at 5.45 pm (film starts 6.30 pm).Hailed as ‘the greatest fan film yet’*, Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation is a 100-minute recreation of the classic film. Started in 1982 by Chris Strompolos and Eric Zala at the age of 12 years old, it took all their pocket money, unwavering dedication, astonishing ingenuity, plus a basement fire and the loss of a pair of eyebrows before the film was finally ‘in the can’ seven years later.
For 15 years, Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation nearly became a forgotten masterpiece until a screening at a film festival by Harry Knowles made it an overnight sensation. It was subsequently featured in Vanity Fair and The Today Show. Fans include Eli Roth, Quentin Tarantino and even Steven Spielberg, who personally wrote to Chris and Eric: “Wanted to let you know how impressed I was with your very loving and detailed tribute to our Raiders of the Lost Ark.”
IGN.com and Vue are proud to bring this highly talked about, but rarely seen cult classic to the UK for the first time ever. Fans will have the opportunity to meet and greet the filmmakers and take part in a Q&A session. Plus, see exclusive props and win artwork from the original series and even indulge in some delicious bites at an Indy-themed food and drink reception.
“Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation is the ultimate fan film; made by fans for fans. It’s the perfect fit for the IGN.com community of over four million games and movie enthusiasts,” said Justin Keeling, General Manager, IGN UK. “We love it and just had to make sure IGN.com and Vue were the first to bring it to the UK.”
Vue’s Marketing Director Mark De Quervain said, “Vue Entertainment are delighted to be the only cinema company to show this unique cult film in the UK. The opportunity to support independent film and also to raise money for MediCinema will make this a really important event for Vue and IGN.com, and a truly unmissable event for our customers.”
Tickets to the UK Charity Premiere of Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation are available now for just £17.50 at www.myvue.com/raiders. Ticket proceeds from the premiere will be donated to MediCinema (www.medicinema.org.uk), a registered charity dedicated to bringing the magic of cinemas to patients in hospitals across the UK.