Director Mike Judge’s cult classic “Idiocracy” will be released in select theaters in October for one night in the lead-up to the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 8.
Ten years have passed since 20th Century Fox released the tale of a U.S. Army soldier who took part in a top-secret “human hibernation” experiment and eventually found himself in a world of idiots.
Alamo Drafthouse And Art House Convergence Theaters decided now was an ideal time to celebrate the film and offer social commentary on the American political landscape.
“Ten years ago, satirist Mike Judge told of an impossible future in which our collective intelligence had dropped so low it threatened to destroy the world,” the theater chain said in a statement released Wednesday. “In this future, America was run by a corrupt, sociopathic former pro-wrestler with severe anger management issues, and the most popular entertainment in the land was a YouTube-esque video playlist called ’Ow My Balls.’”
“Flash forward to today. We are approaching the end of the most bizarre, absurdist presidential race in U.S. history. Over the past months, thousands have questioned in social media whether ’Idiocracy’ was actually a documentary. Mike Judge’s sadly prescient film has transcended its cult classic status to become a vibrant and essential facet of this election conversation.”
Mr. Judge, along with members of the cast and crew, will appear at a theater in Santa Monica, California, on Oct. 4 to answer questions about the film. Numerous other Alamo Drafthouse theaters around the country will show the film, all starting at 9:45 p.m. EDT.
Those who cannot make it to theaters will still be able to watch the discussion via Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s Facebook livestream. Mr. Judge will take questions at 11:25 p.m. EDT, AV Club reported.
“Idiocracy,” starring Luke Wilson as “Joe Bauers” and Terry Crews as “President Dwayne Elizondo ’Mountain Dew’ Herbert Camacho,” debuted Sept. 1, 2006. The film was released in 130 theaters and made less than $500,000 in lifetime grosses.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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