News & Press

VFF to present science fiction/horror remake Plan 9

by Robert Dunnenberger on May 22, 2014

Plan-9-Teaser-Poster_WEB

VIRGINIA FILM FESTIVAL TO PRESENT SCIENCE FICTION/HORROR REMAKE PLAN 9 ON TUESDAY, JUNE 3 AT 7PM AT REGAL STONEFIELD

Virginia-Based Remake of 1959 Ed Wood Cult Classic Plan 9 From Outer Space To Feature Post-Screening Discussion With Director John Johnson and Members of Cast and Crew

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – May 22, 2014 – The Virginia Film Festival will present a special screening of the new science fiction/horror film Plan 9 on Tuesday, June 3 at 7:00 p.m. at Regal Stonefield Stadium 14.

The film, shot in Virginia, is a remake of the Ed Wood cult classic Plan 9 From Outer Space. The screening will be followed by a discussion with its director, Charlottesville native John Johnson, and members of the cast and crew.

Tickets for the screening are free and may be reserved ahead of time through the U.Va. Arts Box Office http://tickets.artsboxoffice.virginia.edu/single/eventDetail.aspx?p=3925 or in-person starting at 6:00 p.m. on the night of the screening.

This event is generously supported by The Shops at Stonefield and Parallel 38.

Ed Wood’s Plan 9 from Outer Space, released in 1959, has lived on in the hearts and minds of science fiction aficionados ever since. The story of an alien invasion designed to wipe out the Earth’s entire population has also carved a unique reputation as one of the worst films ever made.

Director Johnson and his production company Darkstone Entertainment set out to retell the story in a more serious way, creating a character-driven piece that avoids the cringe-worthy camp that dominated the original film, and replaces it with a sincere celebration of horror and science fiction.

“We wanted to honor the original source material,” Johnson said, “but also Ed Wood’s intentions when he made Plan 9 From Outer Space. His plan was to make a very scary sci-fi/horror film, and we wanted to create a film that Wood would have enjoyed, or even made himself, if not bound by the technological limitations placed on filmmakers of his era. I feel a strong camaraderie for the man and his work, and I hope that I have followed his true intention and made a film that will be as loved by audiences today as the original was in his generation.”

“We are excited to celebrate the work of another talented Virginia filmmaker,” said VFF Director and Vice Provost for the Arts Jody Kielbasa, “and we invite audiences to come see the film and hear how he and his creative team have updated one of the iconic films of its genre while remaining true to the vision of its legendary creator.”

The Virginia Film Festival is presented by the University of Virginia.
The 27th Annual Virginia Film Festival is set for November 6-9 in Charlottesville. For more information on the VFF, visit www.virginiafilmfestival.org.