Best Worst Movie Lands Distro

In “Best Worst Movie” Michael Paul Stephenson makes his directorial debut by exploring one of the worst and most critically panned movies ever made, Troll 2, which he starred in twenty years ago as a child.

In 1989 Italian director Claudio Fragrasso cast small-town dentist Dr. George Hardy and a group of unwitting Utah actors in the ultra-low budget horror film Troll 2. Soon after its disastrous release, Dr. Hardy retired from his short-lived acting career and returned to dentistry in his hometown of Alabama, unaware of the legions of fans that would one day recognize him as a cult movie luminary.

“Best Worst Movie” reveals the improbable heartfelt story of an Alabama dentist-turned-cult-movie icon and an Italian filmmaker as they come to terms with their internationally revered cinematic failure.

Stephenson and his wife, Lindsay Stephenson, produced “Best Worst Movie” under their production company, Magic Stone Productions. Brad Klopman also produced, and Doug Mankoff of Echo Lake is the producer’s rep for the film.

Of the acquisition, Stephenson says, “Our movie – that we have devoted the last four years to – cannot be in better hands than with Area23a. They have demonstrated their ability to skillfully handle specialized films in a crowded marketplace. The recent success of “Anvil!” is only the most recent example of Richard’s expertise in theatrical film distribution.”

Abramowitz adds, “We are very excited to bring ‘Best Worst Movie’ to theaters across the country. The movie has been generating both incredible word-of-mouth and critical acclaim through the festival circuit. Audiences are appreciating the film’s humor and are also moved by its homage to bad movies and, at least in this case, the good people who make them.” Said Eftekhar, “Keep your eyes open; we’re bringing a “Best Worst Movie/Troll 2″ party to your town soon…”