Friday 11 May 2012

The Watcher - Iron Sky, a call to arms!

OK, so better late than never, here's The Watcher for this week. I was going to do a retrospective review of Alien: The Director's Cut ahead of Prometheus coming out at the end of the month, but that's been bumped to another week due to a development this week.

Before I elaborate further, have you all heard of Iron Sky? Here's the trailer....


That's it, you can stop squealing with joy for a second. How much fun does this look? Total B-movie madness, complete with a humourous caricature of Sarah Palin. NAZIS FROM THE MOON! Don't get me wrong, I don't expect this film to be award winning or thought provoking. But I am expecting a riotously awesome popcorn movie for sci-fi fans.

Now, the bad news. Straight from the filmmakers...


To elaborate, here's the full explanation from Timo Vuorensola, the director of Iron Sky.



The UK release of Iron Sky took a weird turn a week ago, when Revolver – our local distributor – suddenly released the new plans for their long-anticipated UK cinema release. To the amazement of many – including ourselves – their plan is to put Iron Sky in UK theaters for *just one day*, 23.5., and then never again.

I don’t think so.

See, when I started to work on Iron Sky, I wanted to make a cinematic experience, a film that works best when you sit in a dark room with 500 other people and watch, experience, laugh and enjoy as the epic story about the Moon Nazis unfolds in front of your eyes. Now, following the UK plan laid out by Revolver, the film is out in cinemas for only one day only (and that’s WEDNESDAY of all days).

I think this is an insult to us, the filmmakers who have been working with this film for six long years. We signed up with Revolver because we wanted to have a wide cinema release, and that’s what they promised us. But more than that, it’s an insult to all the fans, friends, followers, fan investors and everyone out there who’s been waiting all these years to see the Moon Nazi mayhem known as Iron Sky to hit the cinemas.

We’ve tried our best to turn Revolver’s head – without success so far – so now we turn to you for help.

If you feel as we do, that Iron Sky deserves a proper cinema release, make your voices heard. We’ve created a four-step plan for you to help us out to get a longer-lasting cinema release for Iron Sky in UK, and we’re hoping you’ll join the effort. Here’s what you need to do:

STEP 1: CONTACT Revolver Entertainment, and tell them what you think of their plans to release Iron Sky for just one day to cinemas in UK. Please email to info@revolvergroup.com.

STEP 2: LET THEM KNOW what you think also on their Facebook page – www.fb.com/ironskyuk – and on their Twitter feed – @ironskyuk

STEP 3: DEMAND to see Iron Sky in your local film theaters. Go to www.ironsky.net/demand and place your Demand.

STEP 4: SPREAD THE WORD and machinate your friends to join the campaign also. Share this link everywhere on the Internet; let’s make sure Revolver hears your voice.

Having said this, please remember – the best message is one that is polite, informed and intelligent. Don’t go shouting obscenities, as it won’t help anyone, but let them know very clearly why the one day cinema release is a bad idea and needs to be re-thought.

Yours truly,
Director of Iron Sky
Timo Vuorensola
and the Iron Sky team


As you can see, Proud Lion is doing what we can to get involved. I've mentioned this already on Facebook and Twitter, and I've personally emailed Revolver to register my displeasure. There's currently no sign of Cineworld showing it whatsoever, even for one day, so that doesn't bode well for people in Gloucester getting to see it on the big screen.

Revolver sent me their official statement on the situation in response to email, no attempt at any personal correspondence at all. Very poor. Here's what they had to say...


REVOLVER OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON IRON SKY RELEASE

We recognise the concerns of the makers of IRON SKY and appreciate the support of the fans. We ourselves have been huge supporters of the project since day one, coming on board in 2009.

We feel this release structure is very much in line with the spirit in which the film was made, being available both on the big and small screen almost simultaneously.

We have seen all of your feedback and contrary to the opinion of a few we are not trying to 'kill' 'bury' or 'dump' the film. Revolver is still in discussion with the exhibitors about extending the cinema run. Come out on the 23rd May, show your support, make IRON SKY day a huge success and lets keep the film playing on the big screen!


Not good enough! So I'm going to urge you all to please bombard their Twitter, send them an email, post on the Facebook page - basically do everything Timo has asked of us! And keep doing it!

We deserve space Nazis on the big screen! If only for a full week in all major cinemas. Here's the first four minutes of this gloriously silly movie...


Ben Fardon is still rocking out to Garbage songs and eagerly awaiting his copy of the new album

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