Undead

[texol]

Ive just rented an australian movie called Undead, according to IMBD it was made in 2003, why has it taken so long to be released, reviews say its good. Plus according to Apple quicktime trailers its a brand new movie in the states not yet relased in the cinema. Whats the deal with this movie and why are the releases so mixed up?

[vehelpfulguy]

Most 'big budget' films are already backed by a studio before they are even made, particulalry if they feature a well known cast or director (or both). 

This means that when the film is finally finished the studio has already arranged the making of hundreds of prints for distribution to all the cinemas.

But this film sounds as though it was an independent movie, as one site said:

"Undead" is the work of two brothers from Australia, Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig, who wrote, directed, edited and produced it, and are of the kitchen sink approach to filmmaking.

So my guess is they made the film, and THEN looked for someone to distribute it. It may have been a local hit in Australia, but then they had to try to find a European or US distributor.

Of course, nobody is going to distribute a film that they do not think has much of an audience. It can cost millions to make the prints and promote and publicise a film.      

Blair Witch Project was an example of one film that was made for just a few thousand dollars, but made millions at the cinema.

Often for films with a low audience it can go straight to video (or DVD nowadays) without ever going to the cinema.