Philip K. Dick novels have had a tumultuous realization on the big screen. His novels have been the inspiration for classic scifi like BLADE RUNNER and MINORITY REPORT and faithful adaptations like A SCANNER DARKLY, but his less mainstream works have struggled to find a home on the big screen. A prime example is the acclaimed novel RADIO FREE ALBEMUTH.
Adapted independently in 2007 as to maintain the subversive messages within the story, RADIO FREE ALBEMUTH has had a seven year journey to the big screen and is only now getting a theatrical release. The Hollywood Reporter debuted the new trailer for the film which stars Jonathan Scarfe, Shea Whigham (BOARDWALK EMPIRE), Katheryn Winnick (VIKINGS), Scott Wilson (THE WALKING DEAD), Ashley Greene (TWILIGHT), Rich Sommer (MAD MEN), and Alanis Morissette. Yes, that Alanis Morissette.
Set in an alternate reality in 1985. Berkeley record store clerk Nick Brady (Jonathan Scarfe) begins to experience strange visions transmitted from an extra-terrestrial source he calls VALIS. He moves with his family to L.A. where he becomes a successful music executive with a secret mission to overthrow the oppressive government led by U.S. President Fremont (Scott Wilson). With the help of his best friend, sci-fi writer, Philip K. Dick (Whigham) and a beautiful, mysterious woman named Silvia (Morissette), Nick finds himself drawn into a conspiracy of mind-shattering proportions.
This, by no means, looks like a studio quality film in terms of special effects or cinematography, but RADIO FREE ALBEMUTH definitely looks faithful to Philip K. Dick’s writing style. The political undertones are all apparent and the science fiction looks unlike anything we typically get on the big screen. But, Philip K. Dick was not known for action-packed extravaganzas like MINORITY REPORT. This is the brainy type of scifi we don’t often get from studio efforts.
RADIO FREE ALBEMUTH will get a limited release on June 27, 2014.