Merrimack Hall Hosts the Alabama Premiere of Raiders: The Adaptation
It was the summer of 1981 in Mississippi, and three 12-year-old friends, Chris Strompolos, Eric Zala and Jayson Lamb, began filming their own shot-by-shot adaptation of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in the backyards of their Mississippi homes. One summer turned into seven years, and their film was in the can.
Fourteen years later, in 2003, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin Texas proudly hosted the world premiere of "Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation." After the premiere,the boys began receiving national attention, and were approached by agents and magazines wanting to interview them. They were the subjects of a 2004 feature in Vanity Fair's "Hollywood" issue.
Steven Spielberg himself said in a letter to the boys: "Wanted to let you know how impressed I was with your very loving and detailed tribute to our Raiders of the Lost Ark. I saw and appreciated the vast amounts of imagination and originality you put in your film."
Merrimack Hall is proud to present the Alabama premiere of "Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation," including two screenings of the film, and workshops with creators Eric Zala and Chris Strompolos.
Friday, September 18
7 p.m.: Screening of "Raiders: The Adaptation," followed by a Q&A with creators and stars Eric Zala and Chris Strompolos.
Saturday, September 19
12 p.m.: Screening of "Raiders: The Adaptation," followed by a Q&A with creators and stars Eric Zala and Chris Strompolos.
2:30 p.m.: DIY filmmaking workshop with Eric Zala and Chris Strompolos.
Visit www.merrimackhall.com for more information, and watch a clip from "Raiders: The Adaptation"!
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