Just over 20 years ago, an film debuted at Sundance that would help change the landscape for independent film: Napoleon Dynamite.
Stars Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez (Pedro), Jon Gries (Uncle Rico), Shondrella Avery (Lafawnduh) and co-writer Jerusha Hess were on hand for a special screening of the indie sensation.
It was announced in December that the film underwent a 4K restoration, with an original 35MM negative digitally scanned in 4K as part of Sundance’s 40th anniversary celebration.
The $400,000 film was bought for $4 million by Fox Searchlight out of Sundance, and it went to gross over $44 million in the summer of 2004.
Heder stepped out in a Levi’s fur-lined light blue denim jacket over a grey sweater with a colorful scarf.
The bearded actor also rocked a brown leather fanny pack, black pants and brown work boots.
Indie hit: Just over 20 years ago, an film debuted at Sundance that would help change the landscape for independent film: Napoleon Dynamite
Stars Jon Heder (middle left, Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez (middle right, Pedro), Jon Gries (far right, Uncle Rico), Shondrella Avery (center, Lafawnduh) and co-writer Jerusha Hess (left) were on hand for a special screening of the indie sensation
It was announced in December that the film underwent a 4K restoration, with an original 35MM negative digitally scanned in 4K as part of Sundance’s 40th anniversary celebration.
Heder stepped out in a Levi’s fur-lined light blue denim jacket over a grey sweater with a colorful scarf
Ramirez opted for a black denim coat over a black sweater and white dress shirt with black-framed glasses.
He also had a grey scarf wrapped around his neck to stay warm in the chilly Utah environment.
The actor completed his look with matching black pants and black Doc Martens boots for the event.
Gries opted for a kelly green Oakland A’s baseball cap with a black sweater and a plaid scarf.
He also opted for black pants and grey shoes for the 20th anniversary outing at Sundance.
Avery opted for an oversized black coat and a long black scarf with black leggings and black boots, accessorizing with a black clutch.
Co-writer Hess opted for a black sweater and a matching black dress and black boots for the outing.
The new 4K restoration was overseen by director Jared Hess, with all color and restoration work done in 4K resolution.
Ramirez opted for a black denim coat over a black sweater and white dress shirt with black-framed glasses
Gries opted for a kelly green Oakland A’s baseball cap with a black sweater and a plaid scarf
Avery opted for an oversized black coat and a long black scarf with black leggings and black boots, accessorizing with a black clutch
Co-writer Hess opted for a black sweater and a matching black dress and black boots for the outing
The new 4K restoration was overseen by director Jared Hess, with all color and restoration work done in 4K resolution
‘Returning to Sundance with Napoleon Dynamite feels like a homecoming. When it premiered at the festival 20 years ago, we never anticipated the incredible reaction it would receive,’ director Jared Hess said in a statement
‘Returning to Sundance with Napoleon Dynamite feels like a homecoming. When it premiered at the festival 20 years ago, we never anticipated the incredible reaction it would receive,’ director Jared Hess said in a statement.
‘It’s always been a very personal film for Jerusha and me, so the love affair it’s had with audiences all these years continues to delight us,’ he added.
‘To commemorate its 20th anniversary, we are thrilled to screen this newly restored version of Napoleon Dynamite,’ he continued.
‘The restoration team did an amazing job bringing to life new details from the original film’s negative that we’d never seen before. We can’t wait to share it!’ he concluded.
