RAIDERS: THE ADAPTATION
Eric Zala & Chris Strompolos
Film Screening/Q&A
After seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981, three 12 year old friends, Chris Strompolos, Eric Zala and Jayson Lamb, began filming their own shot-by-shot adaptation in the backyards of their Mississippi homes. Vigilant, resourceful, and a little bit insane, these Mississippi tweens gained access to sacks of gunpowder, gallons of gasoline, a retired WWII battleship and a functioning Navy submarine. They They broke bones, got grounded, burned down a garage, and got grounded again. Eric had to be hospitalized twice, once for having his hair set aflame, and once because shards of plaster from an exploding head "effect" had to be surgically removed from his scalp. Seven years later their film was in the can. In 2003 (22 years from the project's inception), Steven Spielberg and George Lucas watched the tribute and gave it their stamp of approval, calling it "hugely imaginative," "impressive," and "lovingly detailed." In 2004, Vanity Fair did an expansive 10,000 word feature on the boys' experiences making the movie, Quentin Tarantino became a fan, Wes Craven called the film "phenomenal," and Paramount producer Scott Rudin purchased the life rights to their story. Oscar nominated author/cartoonist Daniel Clowes (Ghost World) is currently working on a screenplay about them. This Sunday, Eric and Chris are flying into Metuchen to screen and discuss their now legendary cult sensation, Raiders: The Adaptation. THE REFECTORY THEATER, 270 Woodbridge Avenue (adjacent to the graveyard), Metuchen, NJ. Parking in rear. All tickets: $15. For advance tickets call 732-906-0009 or visit The Raconteur at 431 Main Street in Metuchen.
