at the Strange and Hilarious World of the Used Car ?Slasher Sale?
NEW YORK, May 4, 2004 – Independent Film Channel (IFC), the first and most widely distributed cable network devoted to independent film, will present special sneak preview screenings of the new John Landis documentary, Slasher, produced exclusively for IFC. The screenings will be held May 14 at the Jacksonville Film Festival in Florida and June 18 and 19 at the Nantucket Film Festival in Massachusetts. Slasher will make its television premiere Saturday, June 19 on IFC.
Slasher is a documentary that takes audiences into the strange and often hilarious world of a used car ?slasher? sale. Slasher represents Landis? (Animal House, Trading Places, Coming to America) first foray into documentary filmmaking. Shot in Memphis, Tenn. during the 2003 Memorial Day weekend, the documentary follows the man considered by many to be the greatest living used car salesman and chronicles his life in the business as he travels town to town, showing his innate talent for creating ?slasher sales? and unloading vehicles other sale staffs are unable to sell.
IFC is marking its 10th anniversary in 2004 with the most ambitious slate of original programming in the network?s history. IFC will present eight originals this year, up from two in 2003. In addition to Slasher, IFC?s original programming slate for 2004 includes Season III of Dinner For Five, Rocked with Gina Gershon, Nanette Burstein?s Film School, Ultimate Film Fanatic, Z Channel: The Rise and Fall of Jerry Harvey, In the Company of Women and In Search of Ted Demme. In addition, IFC recently announced a comprehensive series of film licensing agreements with Fox Searchlight, Lions Gate Films, Miramax and MGM to bring an extensive list of high-profile indie films to the network in 2004 and beyond.
?I look forward to taking part in the screenings and discussions of Slasher at these festivals,? Landis said. ?I hope audiences will be entertained by this inside look at the used car business. I thank IFC for being a place that welcomes independent filmmakers and gives us the creative freedom to pursue our cinematic visions.?
Adam Weinstein, IFC?s director of affiliate marketing, said: ?We are delighted to bring this sneak-preview screening of Slasher to the Jacksonville and Nantucket film festivals and are proud to support these prestigious community events. It is IFC?s mission to provide a voice for independent filmmakers and expand the audience for independent films. Our participation in these festivals is in keeping with our objective to provide an opportunity for as many people as possible to enjoy indie films.?
Landis and producer Chris Kobin, along with Steve Cantor and Daniel Laikind of Stick Figure Productions, were granted unrestricted access to this inimitable slice of Americana. Part circus sideshow, part con job, and part clinic on the world of business, the documentary gives viewers an insider?s look at the tricks of the used car sales trade and provides a modern version of Arthur Miller?s Willie Loman character.
About Independent Film Channel
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed channel dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut and commercial free. IFC celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2004 with its most extensive original programming line-up ever. Original programming premiering in 2004 includes Nanette Burstein?s Film School, Ultimate Film Fanatic, Rocked With Gina Gershon, the third season of Dinner For Five and John Landis? Slasher. In 2003, IFC made its mark with originals including BaaadAsssss Cinema, The American Nightmare, Indie Sex: Taboos and A Decade Under the Influence. IFC Television is a part of IFC Companies, which has created a unique end-to-end business model and brand that focuses on developing and nurturing talent, and maximizing the value of independent film. With a television network, a film distribution and production unit, and a VOD service, IFC Companies represents the future of independent film. IFC Companies uses its unique position to broaden the independent film audience nationwide and to expand the opportunities for independent filmmakers. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Entertainment Services, which also includes the AMC and WE: Women’s Entertainment television networks.