After a 20-minute speech lambasting Hollywood, Kevin Smith sold his horror movie Red State for $20 at Sundance last night … to himself. Smith, who said the movie industry is full of “too much f***ing horses***,” announced an auction for the distribution rights after Red State premiered. But as soon as Smith made his $20 offer, his producer—who was handling the sale—declared the film sold, the AP reports. It was all a stunt, meant to prove, as Smith said, “that anyone can release a movie.”
He added, “Indie film isn't dead, it just grew up … we don’t let them sell our movie, we sell our movie ourselves.” He plans to take the film on the road ahead of its Oct. 19 release in order to recoup some of the $4 million budget, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The auction came after a headline-generating day for Red State, as it was protested by none other than the Westboro Baptist Church (its lead villain is based on the Westboro pastor.) Click for another splashy Smith story, in which he bashes Bruce Willis.
(More Kevin Smith stories.)