Kickstarter

Hi everyone,

First, it needs to be said that a major announcement I had prepared for this update has been slightly postponed due to circumstances beyond my control. When this announcement is given the go ahead, details we've been obligated to keep under wraps since the new year can finally be shared- all I can say now is that the discs are on track for the summer and are becoming even more comprehensive in the meantime.

The bright side of the delay is that nothing will prevent me from making sure, using all the resources available to me, that the remaining cast and crew from Manos: The Hands of Fate get to tell their stories. The overall intent of the interviews is to create a better appreciation for the film by focusing on the context in which it was made and the personalities of the people involved, their differing ambitions, and what happened to them in the years since.

I am making it a point to let the facts, the footage, and most of all the words of the people who were actually there steer the discussion. A respectful, interested and non-judgmental tone must maintained as I assemble these interviews. It would be an easy mistake to present a reductive, cynical, and frankly unoriginal judgement of Manos on the same disc that contains it, when we can easily take the opportunity to enhance people's appreciation of what exactly they are watching and re-evaluate what they thought they knew.

Is there humor? Absolutely, but it will come from the words, anecdotes, criticisms and observations of the people who were there, whose lives were shaped in some degree by their roles in the production of this film. 46 years on, there are unfortunately fewer and fewer left to give us insight into this time capsule that we have polished and restored so carefully. The interview work we're doing now is every bit as important, and your backing has directly made it possible.

An important reminder: if you've been following us on Facebook and Twitter, you'll know that Portland, Oregon's very own Manos: The Hands of Fate stage show has returned to thrill us all. Capital I Productions and Brian Koch have brought all sorts of new twists to this revival, including a delightfully creepy Debbie puppet voiced by our friend Jackey Neyman Jones.

That's right: after 46 years, Debbie will be providing her own voice. If you're in the Portland area, grab some tickets and check it out. I'll be there too for the first couple of nights as I interview some of the people involved, and Jackey and I look forward to meeting any local backers who come out.

If you're in the Pacific Northwest and won't be able to join us in person, you'll have at least two more chances: screenings of Manos are still in the works for Portland and Seattle in the coming months.

More news soon! 

Thanks,

-Ben

Hi everyone,

Today I'm happy to take a momentary break from our restoration work (and your t-shirt shipments) to announce that we'll be screening Manos: The Hands of Fate in the town that started it all!

Join me and original cast member Jackey Neyman Jones in El Paso, Texas at the Plaza Classic Film Festival on August 4th for a screening of a work in progress version of the restoration (around 90% done) and what is sure be a very illuminating Q&A with Jackey.

Though the original location of the 1966 premiere (the Capri Theater) is long gone, the festival presenters and I are proud to re-premiere the film at the gorgeous Plaza Theater just down the block. Built in 1930, the Plaza is a genuine movie palace in the Spanish Colonial style. I'm sure you'll agree that there couldn't be a more elegant venue in which to ponder this landmark of Texan cinema.

This and every film screening at the festival (and there are many great ones this year, from Mad Love to Duck Soup, Playtime to Mothra) is also giving back to the community of El Paso, her filmmakers and moviegoers in a tangible way. From the festival website: 

...The Plaza Classic Film Festival is a non-commercial, all-volunteer endeavor and a special project of the El Paso Community Foundation. All proceeds from the festival go to the Plaza Film Fund to be used to provide grants to local filmmakers, underwriting for alternative film festivals and to support educational film initiatives in the area.

While in El Paso, I will be taking the opportunity to shoot some additional footage for the extra features that you'll soon see on the disc. Please be aware that the estimated delivery of the the Blu-ray / DVD is expected to move further into autumn as more of the people who were on the set of Manos have recently consented to interviews. I'm excited to be adding to the package in a meaningful way, and think you'll find that the trade-off in time is well worth a more definitive final product. All other backer rewards will still go out on schedule, with posters and 16mms being handled late this month.

Backers with 'Producer' and 'Executive Producer' status who would like to attend this screening should message me ASAP so that I can secure their passes. If you aren't able to join us, don't worry! Manos will screen again soon in places I can't yet reveal...

Thank you,

-Ben

Hello again!

It's been an exciting couple of months as a team has been assembled, a cross-platform editing and restoration workflow has been established, and (of course) more film has been scanned. Thanks to the enthusiasm of our backers and our followers, Manos is already looking better than ever.

Donor incentives have been coming together nicely as well! If you've been on our facebook group or checked the website over the last couple of days, you'll have seen the design for our $10 and up pledge reward, a lapel pin that will identify you as a member of this odd fraternity of ours. It was designed by Patrick McCart and measures a tasteful 3/4".

Today, I'm also happy to unveil the design of our donor exclusive T-shirt, obtainable only through this fundraiser, that acknowledges your role as a member of the Manos Restoration Team. Ray Patnaude designed the artwork which will be printed with discharge ink to ensure a soft texture, dark brown on tan, in both men's and women's sizes.

Today you will receive a backer survey to identify your shirt size, your name as it will appear in the credits, and to verify your mailing address. Once all shirt sizes have been surveyed, printing will begin immediately followed by fulfillment of both the t-shirt and pin.

If your donor level includes the final Blu-ray / DVD, your rewards will be split into different shipments and arrive as they are made. If you would instead like to receive them all in a bundle upon completion of the disc, which at this moment is still on track for autumn, simply send me a message via Kickstarter and let me know. Neither option will result in additional costs to you.

If you choose the second option and our distribution situation changes (in other words, if a distributor picks up Manos for an official retail release) a slight delay in the disc may result as further extra features are added. In that event, your other rewards will be fulfilled immediately, with the disc following at the appointed time.

Please note that posters will be shipped in a tube, and therefore will always arrive separately from other rewards.

If you have any questions, feel free to message me via Kickstarter and I'll do my best to answer them directly. I'm working on making the fulfillment process as smooth as possible... we'll all be walking around with Manos shirts before you know it!

Thank you,

-Ben