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Oh, this is a smart move ... IFC Films have just announced that they will be running their limited theatrical run of UK true crime trilogy Red Riding is what they're calling a 'roadshow' format. Which means? All three films, no trailers, two intermissions, all credits run at the conclusion of the third film. I've seen this format employed twice before - the Toronto International Film Festival present Nicolas Winding Refn's Pusher trilogy and Johnnie To's Election films this way - and when the material is good it's a potent way to experience film. And these films are very good indeed.
New York (NY) (January 15, 2009) - IFC Films, one of the leading American distributors of independent and foreign films, announced today that it will release RED RIDING: SPECIAL ROADSHOW EDITION for one week only beginning Friday, February 5th exclusively at the IFC Center in New York City. The 305 minute presentation of the complete trilogy, including 2 intermissions, will be presented twice daily, at 1:00pm and 7:00pm, for 14 performances only. The ticket price will be $25, $20 for seniors and $18 for IFC Center members. RED RIDING's three chapters are directed by Julian Jarrold (BRIDESHEAD REVISITED), Academy Award ® Winner James Marsh (MAN ON WIRE) and Anand Tucker (HILARY AND JACKIE, SHOPGIRL). The films were written by Tony Grisoni (FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS) and based on the novels by David Peace. It is produced by Revolution Films' Andrew Eaton, Anita Overland and Wendy Brazington. The Cast includes Andrew Garfield, Sean Bean, Warren Clarke, Rebecca Hall, Eddie Marsan, David Morrissey, Peter Mullan, Paddy Considine, Maxine Peake, Mark Addy and Daniel Mays.
RED RIDING will be presented without any trailers and the credits will run at the conclusion of the presentation. A free popcorn and a collectors edition program book featuring an essay by the esteemed writer David Thomson, interviews with the principal talent, a photo gallery, a description of the large cast of characters and complete credits will be given out to each audience member. Beginning Friday, February 12th, IFC Center will present RED RIDING in 3 parts with separate admissions. Landmark's Nuart will also open the films as separate admissions followed by a national rollout.
RED RIDING was hailed by the New York Film Festival as "One of this year's great cinematic events. Far and away the most convincing recent addition to the canon of film noir, this taut, mesmerizing trilogy of films was adapted from David Peace's series of novels about the "Yorkshire Ripper," a serial killer who terrorized northwest England in the 1970's and 1980's. Produced by Revolution Films Andrew Eaton, each of these new works was made by a different director, while all shared the same screenwriter, Tony Grisoni. Each installment can be seen separately, yet the impact of all three together is simply overwhelming." The films also screened to great acclaim at the Telluride Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival and AFI Fest.
Jonathan Sehring, President of IFC Entertainment said, "After our incredible experience presenting CHE in its Roadshow format, and the extremely enthusiastic response of audiences, we knew this was something that we would love to do again, but only for the right project. We are now thrilled to bring the RED RIDING Roadshow to NY and partner with the IFC Center again on this exciting opportunity. Festival audiences have embraced the films and stirred true excitement for the upcoming release, and we're very pleased to bring the complete RED RIDING experience to more moviegoers."
I can't figure out if 2x daily "for 14 performances" is 2 weeks or 1 week. Is there a confirmed end date?
(since it's showing regularly 2/12, I imagine it's only one week)
I heard rumblings of this, glad it is happening!
Charles, as you've gathered, yes the roadshow presentation is for one week, two a day, 14 total. The second week is stated as separate admission.
I'm hoping to get a big heaping review up (what a daunting task) for the release, so be ready for that, folks.
Ah man, I'm very happy that 'Red Riding' is being shown over in the US, especially in theatres.
I remember a feature on 'Red Riding' being ran in the BFI's always excellent 'Sight & Sound' magazine quite a few months before it's television airing over here in the UK that mentioned a possible cinema release for our own country, but I don't think that ever came to fruition in Britain (to my knowledge, at least) which is a real shame as I would have been very interested to see how it transferred upto the big screen.
Personally, I loved the trilogy and can't fault it - a lot of those who were fans of the original books didn't seem that knocked out with it for some reason though; I never did get round to reading them though so can't and wouldn't comment on how faithful it turned out to be. I certainly snapped up the DVD upon it's release and it plays out so much better without the TV commercial breaks which I thought really interrupted the flow.
The UK is strewn with garbage television these days, and I'm sure the US is no different of course, but every so often, just like 'The Wire' for example, something really special happens on TV and, for me personally, 'Red Riding' is up there with the very best.