“Alright, alright, alright.”
Thanks to Zoom’s magic, Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey and director Richard Linklater will discuss the production of “Dazed and Confused” as part of an effort to return viewers to the cinema. The cast meeting is being produced by Alamo Drafthouse as part of its “Support Local Cinemas” events. It was the curator of a similar conversation linked to exhibitions of the franchise “The Lord of the Rings”. The pre-recorded chat will be hosted by Jack Black and will be shown alongside the screening of the 1993 classic. He will begin screening, for sure, in the week of 4/20, an appropriate date, if ever. It will be made available free of charge to cinemas around the world.
“As the founder and artistic director of the Austin Film Society, I know firsthand that community cinemas like ours are vital cultural spaces,” said Linklater. “It is important for everyone to do their part to ensure that cinemas can reach the other side of this pandemic. We cannot come together as a community unless we have places to come together where we can share experiences, and cinemas are at the center of it. “
For the illiterate cinematographer, “Dazed and Confused” is one of the most prominent “hang-out” films. Set in 1976 on the last day of school, it follows a collection of high school students and freshmen entering parties, playing baseball in the mailbox and sailing in Austin, Texas. The film was McConaughey’s first prominent role – he played the old lottery David Wooderson. Posey, about to become a darling indie, portrayed the queen bee of the senior class. And Linklater, who scored with the low budget “Slacker”, announced himself as a new and exciting force in cinema. He would direct “Boyhood” and the “Before” trilogy.
Alamo Drafthouse’s “Support Local Cinemas” was launched earlier this month with the cast of “The Lord of the Rings,” which will bring together 11 cast members with host Stephen Colbert. Fans can submit a question to the “Dazed and Confused” panel using the hashtag #Dazed on Twitter.
As vaccination levels rise across the country, Alamo Drafthouse says it will continue to lead to special events like “welcome” meetings for viewers. It happens after the cinemas were closed or operating with reduced capacity due to COVID-19.
“We found that the films that resonate most during COVID are warm, nostalgic and cheerful titles, which we refer to as ’eminently watchable’,” said Tim League, founder and CEO of Alamo Drafthouse. “Perhaps the king of our favorite cult films is Richard Linklater’s ‘Dazed and Confused’, and I am very happy that Richard, Matthew, Parker and Jack are giving us their time for this event.”
The exhibitions of “Dazed and Confused” will continue until the end of May in theaters around the world. Tickets are on sale for display at Alamo Drafthouse stores at drafthouse.com/Dazed.
Alamo Drafthouse has attracted a fervent fan base due to its creative programming and craft beer menu and bar food. But it faced challenges during the pandemic. Earlier this month, Alamo filed for Chapter 11. It plans to resurrect from bankruptcy with a new investor, Fortress Investment, as well as an investment group that includes the League and former shareholder Altamont Capital.