Alaska-filmed serial killer flick "The Frozen Ground" is slated to hit theaters nationwide on Friday, Aug. 23. The film is also being released to On Demand the same day, lowering its appeal for big-name movie theater operators like Cinemark, the parent company for the Century 16 movie theater in Anchorage. What does this mean for a release here in Alaska's largest city, where much of the filming took place back in 2011?
With only a week to go before the film's big-screen rollout in the U.S., it looks like things are still up in the air.
According to Alaska Film Group president Deborah Schildt, the Valley Cinema, a Coming Attractions theater in Wasilla, is the only venue that will see a public release on the official date, but over at Regal Tikahtnu Stadium 16 in Anchorage, theater manager Gabby Parker has a different story.
"Looks like we haven't been approved for it yet, but we have a poster," Parker said, "I'd say there's a 50-50 chance, but we'll probably know for sure on Tuesday." Parker added that if one Regal Theater shows a film in a city where there are other locations, usually those others will too. "If we get it, it'll probably show up at the Dimond (Center) Theater."
As of Friday, staff at Regal Cinemas Dimond Center 9 were unable to confirm whether or not the film will show in their theater.
"The Frozen Ground" was written and directed by New Zealand native Scott Walker and is based on the notorious Alaska serial killer Robert "Bob" Hansen, said to have flown his victims out to remote locations before releasing and "hunting" them. Hansen admitted to raping and murdering 17 Alaska women in the 1970s and 1980s. However, he has only ever been convicted for the murder of four, and the kidnap and rape of Cindy Paulson, one of the few victims to escape.
Actress Vanessa Hudgens portrays Paulson in the film and pairs up with Alaska State Trooper Jack Halcombe, played by Nicolas Cage, to help bring Hansen, played by John Cusack, to justice.
The film was shot on location in and around Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley, and employed upward of 750 Alaskans as extras, actors, administrators and technicians, according to Schildt. With a figure that high, it would be a shame if the city that helped support the making of a Hollywood film wouldn't also have the pleasure of seeing it on the big screen.
The Alaska Film Group took a shot at having the film distributed in Anchorage, but in the end the only thing likely to materialize from their effort is a private (invite-only) cast and crew screening at the Bear Tooth, tentatively slated for Thursday afternoon. However, if you don't mind driving to Wasilla, the Valley Cinema will defiantly be showing the film. "It will be here (Friday) as far as I know," general manager Eric Moore confirmed.
Contact Katie Medred at katie(at)alaskadispatch.com