Drafthouse Films, the distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse theaters, has picked up the North American rights to a 3D restoration of the 1981 spaghetti western Comin' at Ya! 3D. The restored version, which premiered at Fantastic Fest 2011, is in "3D film in high-definition, utilizing contemporary state-of-art Real-D." Comin' at Ya! was the highest grossing independent 3D film of the 1980s and is credited with creating a resurgence in the format during the decade, a fad which then faded until it was resurrected thirty years later.
While I'm no cheerleader for 3D, it would be interesting to see what a restored 3D movie looks like as opposed to a 2D-to-3D film like The Lion King. Drafthouse Films is planning a limited theatrical re-release for 2012. Hit the jump for the full press release.
Here's the press release:
DRAFTHOUSE FILMS ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO "COMIN' AT YA! 3D" FROM FANTASTIC FEST 2011
The Highest Grossing Independent 3D Film Of The 1980s
Becomes First Fully Restored Classic 3D Film
Using State-Of-The-Art RealD Technology
AUSTIN, TX - Thursday, September 29, 2011 - Drafthouse Films, the film distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, announced the acquisition of North American rights to COMIN AT YA! 3D following the premiere of its stunning new restoration at Fantastic Fest 2011. In 1981, armed with exclusively developed, cutting-edge 3D technology co-writer/producer/star Tony Anthony enlisted Italian genre veteran Fernando Baldi to realize the first-ever 3D spaghetti western - a grindhouse-fueled tale of a vengeful gunslinger. Breaking indie box office records, COMIN' AT YA! 3D is credited with igniting a resurgence of studio-produced 3D films. Thirty years later, Anthony and producer Tom Stern of STERNCO 3D have broken new frontiers again with the first fully restored classic 3D film in high-definition, utilizing contemporary state-of-art RealDä3D technology. A limited theatrical re-release tour is planned for 2012.
"We felt that Drafthouse Films, with their young and aggressive leadership, combined with a new model for 3D distribution, gave us the best chance to reach both longtime fans of the film and new audiences," says Tony Anthony.
"In a barrage of flying arrows, snakes and old-school 3D thrills COMIN' AT YA! certainly delivers," Drafthouse Films director Evan Husney says, "and matching quintessential 80s-style 3D with cutting-edge contemporary technology is going to make for the ultimate 3D experience for movie-goers."
For more information on Drafthouse Films or COMIN' AT YA 3D visit:
http://www.cominatyanoir3d.com
http://twitter.com/drafthousefilms
http://facebook.com/drafthousefilms
http://youtube.com/drafthousefilms
About Drafthouse Films
Drafthouse Films, the distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, debuted in 2010 with the theatrical release of FOUR LIONS (Top 10 Film of 2010 by Time Magazine). Drafthouse Films is dedicated to scouring the globe in search of amazing, challenging and unique films that we are passionate about sharing with a wide audience. Current projects include THE FP and THE ABCs OF DEATH. Drafthouse Films along with the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Mondo, Fantastic Fest and Badass Digest comprise the growing Alamo Drafthouse entertainment lifestyle brand.
About Fantastic Fest
Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the U.S., specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and just plain fantastic movies from all around the world. In years past the festival has been home to world premieres of THERE WILL BE BLOOD, APOCALYPTO, ZOMBIELAND and RED while the guest roster has included such talent as Mel Gibson, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Ryan Reynolds, Karl Urban, Josh Hartnett, The RZA, Dolph Lundgren, Jemaine Clement, Paul Rudd, Bill Pullman, Paul Thomas Anderson, Kevin Smith, Jon Favreau, George Romero, Darren Aronofsky and Mike Judge. Fantastic Fest also features world, national and regional premieres of new, up-and-coming genre films. The festival has launched and propelled the buzz for international genre hits like THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE, MONSTERS, TIMECRIMES and TROLLHUNTER. Fantastic Fest is held each year at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on South Lamar in Austin, Texas. The Alamo Drafthouse was named the best cinema in America by Entertainment Weekly and features food and drink served to your seat without any disruption of the movie experience.
During his Keynote Address at the International film Festival Summit in Las Vegas, Variety president and publisher Charlie Koones listed Fantastic Fest in a list of "10 Film Festivals We Love," a list which included industry heavy-hitters such as Cannes, Toronto and Telluride. We've also been named as one of the "25 coolest film festivals" and the "25 film festivals worth the entry fee" by Moviemaker Magazine.