Rocky Horror co-creator launches online tribute on
25th anniversary of Warhol’s death
World first exclusive online release of art film
Sunday Pictures, in association with DLSHS and ScreenLaunch announces the global online launch of Jim Sharman’s new visual experience ANDY X on February 22nd, 2012.
ANDY X is a 40-minute musical reverie about legendary artist Andy Warhol. Blending a unique filmic structure of song, verse and montage, Sharman explores Warhol’s life from his death-bed in a New York Hospital on 22 February 1987.
This online film experience marks the return of iconic Australian director Jim Sharman to the screen, albeit an online screen. Best known for pushing conventional boundaries with his theatre, opera and cult cinema creations, including the musical extravaganza The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Sharman breaks new ground again exclusively releasing his tribute film online.
On choosing to launch the film in this way, Jim said, “Online movies are a new art form and their potential is evolving, yet cyberspace seems the perfect place to explore the Warhol enigma. I imagine Warhol would have loved the net, and we’ve enjoyed creating this unique 40 minute portrait, or ‘cinematic séance’ with Andy Warhol”.
Given the global audience, the film will be launched 25 years from the very minute of Andy Warhol’s death at 10.21pm in Sydney or 6.21am time in New York at andyxthemovie.com
Esteemed film critic Richard Kuipers has described the film as “a poetic and pulsating eulogy… Sharman takes us on a ride to stimulate and excite everyone from Warhol buffs to those who might have only heard the name and know it has something to do with soup cans.”
Jim Sharman said part of his motivation for creating ANDY X was to explore the world of the most influential twentieth century artist, one whose legacy will continue to inform the future: “Warhol’s ideas still feed our increasingly globalized world and it makes him a fitting subject for online meditation.”
The film was developed and directed by Jim Sharman from a script by Stephen Sewell and an original music score by Basil Hogios, with lyrics by Sewell and Hogios. ANDY X stars rising young stars Akos Armont and Sheridan Harbridge; with Nick Simpson-Deeks, Gillian Jones and David Denis.
On February 22nd 1987 – Andy Warhol died.
On February 22nd 2012 – ANDY X is born.
Trailers – www.andyxthemovie.com
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For interviews and further information:
Alexandra Fletcher, ScreenLaunch: alex@launchgroup.com.au
+61 9492 1000 / 0412 666 168.
About ANDY X
ANDY X is an online film adventure that combines a hybrid of cabaret, opera, art installation, portraiture, and the desire to evoke Warhol’s imagery while avoiding imitation. The 40-minute piece is a playful and original exploration of the life and death of legendary artist Andy Warhol.
About Jim Sharman
Jim Sharman is an international stage and screen director whose work has encompassed film, a range of theatre from Shakespeare to Patrick White, operas by Mozart, Britten and Stravinsky and musicals including Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Rocky Horror Show. He is the author of the memoir Blood and Tinsel and is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most influential and outstanding directors.