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Indy-pendent Filmmaking: Shot For Shot Raiders Remake Comes To Athens Ciné

by Chris Flippo
10/15/2007

Every week, it seems that Hollywood is churning out another remake, some more inspired than others. For every 3:10 To Yuma (a great film), we have a Halloween (um, not so much). For some, remaking a classic film like Raiders of the Lost Ark might seem as sacrilegious as, well, opening the Ark of the Covenant. However, you might be surprised to learn that a remake of the film was met with applause at its Athens premiere last Friday.

In the summer of 1981, teenagers Eric Zala and Chris Strompolos saw Steven Speilberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. Excited about the possibilities of the world of film, the two embarked on a seven-year journey to remake this film, virtually shot-by-shot, with themselves and their friends in the lead roles.

Jump ahead 25 years later, and their pet project is playing to a crowded theater in the Athens Ciné. The video and sound may be substandard, but the film nevertheless was met with an enthusiastic response.

However, how did this homespun epic come to be?

In an interview with Athens Exchange, Strompolos said, “In 1981, I was 10 or 11 years old and I saw the original [Indiana Jones film], and it excited me so much that I wanted nothing more than to play the part of Indiana Jones. And so it really born out of a fantasy, and I figured I’d remake this world.”

So began an epic journey that could rival the adventures of Dr. Jones. Strompolos and Zala recruited neighborhood kids to play the various roles, which ranged from soldiers to Nazis, archaeologists to college professors. Strompolos decided to play Indy, while Eric took on the role of the villainous Dr. Rene Belloq. School friend Angela Rodriguez was cast as Marion, Indy’s love interest. Since monkeys were hard to come by in Louisiana, Strompolos cast his dog Snickers as Indy’s sidekick.

After seven years, two lead actresses, a submarine, a pipe bomb and several close calls, their project was complete.

“When we wrapped, the last shot that we ever did was myself, Angela, tied to a pole for the last sequence, being surrounded by all the ghosts which we simulated with huge fans and big containers of baby powder being blown all over us,” Strompolos said. “And that was the last shot and because it had taken so many years to do it, it was completely anticlimactic... we were all tired and, sort of like, wrapped it up. It wasn’t as exciting as it should have been.”

They did have a wrap party, however, renting out a theater and inviting the entire town to the premiere. Zala said they had finally attained a sense of closure on their seven-year project.

After that, they never gave their Raiders adaptation much thought and, for years, the tape set on a shelf collecting dust. The two moved on with their lives, starting families and finding jobs in the entertainment business. It was not until director Eli Roth (Hostel) came across a copy of the tape did the two gain the fame that they now have. The tape eventually worked its way up to the office of Steven Spielberg, who was pleased to see his blockbuster have such an impact on a group of kids from Louisiana. Spielberg even offered Zala and Strompolos the chance to come to his office and speak was him.

“Mr. Spielberg tracked us down and wrote us a beautiful letter telling us he really appreciated all the originality and love that we put into our Raiders movie,” Strompolos says. “And, a year later, we met him, and basically it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, to get to meet your childhood mentor... it was kind of life-shifting.”

Their story has also sparked interest for a feature film recounting the summers that they spent remaking Raiders.

“It’s currently being made by Scott Rudin at Paramount Pictures,” Zala said. “[It’s] currently in active development. They got Daniel Clowes, who wrote Ghost World, to write the script... we feel like we’re in good hands. We don’t have say over who will play us or whatnot. I’m kind of relieved. The thought of making that decision would keep me up nights.”

Now, the two are busier than ever. Their love of film rekindled, Zala and Strompolos quit their jobs and formed an independent production company, Rolling Bolder Films. They are now hard at work on their first feature but are making sure they never forget their roots. Production will be centered in their home state of Louisiana, and they plan to produce action-adventure films.

Last Saturday, after the Athens premiere of their film was greeted with applause, Strompolos and Zala held a workshop for aspiring film makers to benefit Project Athens Teenscreen. Covering the basics, the two recounted their tales of Indy-pendent film making and gave the teenagers guidance on producing their first feature.

After the workshop, a young man walked up to Zala and asked for Steven Spielberg’s e-mail address. Everyone smiled. Who wouldn’t want to be AIM buddies with him? Maybe the kid will go out and make his own blockbuster. Besides, we all know Jurassic Park is just dying to be remade anyway.

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