

Ringers: Lord of the Fans
Premiere: January 21, 2005 - Slamdance Film Festival
Starring: Elijah Wood, Peter Jackson, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortessen, Clive Barker, and David Carradine, Billy Boyd, Sean Bean & Dominic Monaghan (Narrator)
Directed by: Carlene Cordova
Written by: Cliff Broadway & Carlene Cordova
Summary:
Explores how "The Lord of the Rings" has influenced Western popular culture for the past 50 years. Ringers explores the real foundations of Middle-earth; a community of true fans who share a common bond. Moving beyond "cult classic" and over several different generations, the film unearths countless people gathered under the banner of 'Ringer' -- academics, musicians, movie stars, authors, filmmakers, and a plethora of pop junkies. Celebrity interviewees include Peter Jackson, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Clive Barker, and David Carradine. Ringers features a dynamic rock-driven score with musicians who were influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien. Several indie recording artists have provided new covers of songs from previous "Rings" adaptations. Produced in association with the popular fan-site TheOneRing.net, Ringers stands as the most comprehensive film document of the ongoing fandom of "The Lord of the Rings." Narrated by Dominic Monaghan, Ringers traverses the hippie counter-culture and electronic age. From the Bakshi animated film to Jackson's epic trilogy; this documentary brings together extensive footage collected over 21 months -- across three continents. Our cameras have captured the most energetic "Lord of the Rings" events. What began as the private amusement of a tweedy Oxford professor has now become a new mythology for the 21st century. Ringers shows how an adventure story published in 1954 has had dynamic ripple-effects through Western pop-culture. Ringers carefully pulls away the veil between Tolkien's book and the creations of art, music, and community that have been inspired by it.
Media
“A Precious Tribute to Fans” - The Washington Post
“Tolkien Gets Ringing Endorsement” - WIRED Magazine
“Rings films: Chick Flicks?” - Los Angeles Times
Vancouver Sun: Look at Rings fans among three Slamdance hot docs









