For the initiated and uninitiated alike, this blog's for you. For Manos history and behind the scenes, my early posts cover all that. This post covers the the How's and Why's of Manos Returns, sequel to the film commonly referred to as "The Worst Movie Ever Made".
To answer the most obvious question "Why in God's name would you do such a thing?"
I say this:
Manos is so much more than a bad movie. Yes. As a film, it's horrible, and it's that horribleness that brought it back into the world after 27 years of oblivion, and it's that inexplicable awkward factor along with complete film ineptitude that places it high among sources of inspiration for many. It's the sheer unworthiness of it that makes it worthy of notice. Many quality projects have birthed from Manos and the idea of it. A blu ray restoration that is preserved in the Texas Film Archive and was on Amazon's top 30 best seller list. A stage adaptation in Portland, Oregon that played to sold out audiences as did Rachel Jackson's Seattle Washington puppet show, Manos Hands of Felt. An iPhone game by Freak Zone, a couple of novelizations by Steven Sullivan not to mention that Manos has remained a top title for MST3k since it aired on the program in 1993. Even Rifftrax brought it to theaters nationwide in one of their live shows.
All along the way, I have played on the fringe of it and although I've met so many talented people and been invited to participate in some of the projects and attend a few screenings, my dad has never had the chance to feel, first hand, that Manos love. He's always stayed private and content to hear it through me. So when he expressed an interest in showing the fans he is still The Master, I had to make it happen. For him, for me and for the fans who have demonstrated their support for so long. I know this isn't for everyone and I would not expect it or anything else to be, but for fans of Manos, Indie Film and the Creative Spirit that resides in us all, we are bringing you Manos Returns.
To answer the immediate assumption that I've heard expressed...No. We are not making a bad movie. We are not remaking the original Manos or trying to re create it in any way. That would really be crazy. Besides our film team's experience in low budget film, there is fifty years of technology between 1966 to now. We can't pretend to unknow what we know and I deeply dislike intentionally bad film so would not insult you by attempting that
.
We are creating an homage to the originals and to nod to the followers of Manos.
Manos Returns brings a new cast of characters with a few of the old mixed in. The Master and I return along with Diane Mahree who played Maggie. Bryan Jennings, son of original Sheriff William Bryan Jennings will play our Sheriff. We will make the best most entertaining film we possibly can. It is the Will of Manos!
Director: Tonjia Atomic, award winning Seattle filmmaker TonjiaAtomic.com
Director of Photography: Joe Sherlock, award winning Oregon filmmaker SkullfaceAstronaut.com
Writer: Steve Foley
Producer: Jackey Neyman Jones DebbiesManos.com
A Huge Thank You to all 420 backers of the Manos Returns Kickstarter that ended a 31 day campaign on March first with $31,750. We hit our second stretch goal with hours to spare. Thanks to you, we are already hard at work to bring you our film and our first screening by the 50th Anniversary of November 15th 2016.
Manos Returns Kickstarter
To stay updated on our project please visit us at ManosReturns.com
To answer the most obvious question "Why in God's name would you do such a thing?"
I say this:
Manos is so much more than a bad movie. Yes. As a film, it's horrible, and it's that horribleness that brought it back into the world after 27 years of oblivion, and it's that inexplicable awkward factor along with complete film ineptitude that places it high among sources of inspiration for many. It's the sheer unworthiness of it that makes it worthy of notice. Many quality projects have birthed from Manos and the idea of it. A blu ray restoration that is preserved in the Texas Film Archive and was on Amazon's top 30 best seller list. A stage adaptation in Portland, Oregon that played to sold out audiences as did Rachel Jackson's Seattle Washington puppet show, Manos Hands of Felt. An iPhone game by Freak Zone, a couple of novelizations by Steven Sullivan not to mention that Manos has remained a top title for MST3k since it aired on the program in 1993. Even Rifftrax brought it to theaters nationwide in one of their live shows.
All along the way, I have played on the fringe of it and although I've met so many talented people and been invited to participate in some of the projects and attend a few screenings, my dad has never had the chance to feel, first hand, that Manos love. He's always stayed private and content to hear it through me. So when he expressed an interest in showing the fans he is still The Master, I had to make it happen. For him, for me and for the fans who have demonstrated their support for so long. I know this isn't for everyone and I would not expect it or anything else to be, but for fans of Manos, Indie Film and the Creative Spirit that resides in us all, we are bringing you Manos Returns.
To answer the immediate assumption that I've heard expressed...No. We are not making a bad movie. We are not remaking the original Manos or trying to re create it in any way. That would really be crazy. Besides our film team's experience in low budget film, there is fifty years of technology between 1966 to now. We can't pretend to unknow what we know and I deeply dislike intentionally bad film so would not insult you by attempting that
.
We are creating an homage to the originals and to nod to the followers of Manos.
Manos Returns brings a new cast of characters with a few of the old mixed in. The Master and I return along with Diane Mahree who played Maggie. Bryan Jennings, son of original Sheriff William Bryan Jennings will play our Sheriff. We will make the best most entertaining film we possibly can. It is the Will of Manos!
Director: Tonjia Atomic, award winning Seattle filmmaker TonjiaAtomic.com
Director of Photography: Joe Sherlock, award winning Oregon filmmaker SkullfaceAstronaut.com
Writer: Steve Foley
Producer: Jackey Neyman Jones DebbiesManos.com
A Huge Thank You to all 420 backers of the Manos Returns Kickstarter that ended a 31 day campaign on March first with $31,750. We hit our second stretch goal with hours to spare. Thanks to you, we are already hard at work to bring you our film and our first screening by the 50th Anniversary of November 15th 2016.
Manos Returns Kickstarter
To stay updated on our project please visit us at ManosReturns.com
