Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast. On this episode, I’m sitting down with director Todd Stephens to talk about Gypsy 83: The Director’s Cut, which is back in select theaters right now for its 25th anniversary.
If you grew up in the late 90s or early 2000s, there's a good chance this one has a special place on your shelf. The story centers on two Sandusky, Ohio goth misfits and massive Stevie Nicks superfans: Gypsy Vale, played by Sara Rue, and her younger, queer best friend Clive Webb, played by Birkett Turton. When they hear about a "Night of 1000 Stevies" event happening at a club in New York City, they pack up their black eyeliner and hit the road, fully convinced this is Gypsy’s big break.
The film co-stars John Doe from the legendary punk band X, plus the iconic Karen Black playing a washed-up lounge singer. Todd Stephens basically took the standard coming-of-age road trip formula, flipped it on its head, and handed it over to the weird kids and outsiders who usually don't get to be the heroes of these stories.
For this 25th anniversary release, they didn't just dump an old file onto a screen. The movie has been completely re-edited and restored in 4K directly from the original 35mm camera negative. It includes never-before-seen footage and a soundtrack loaded with heavy hitters like The Cure and Echo and the Bunnymen.
Before we jump into my chat with Todd about digging through old footage and bringing this story back to the big screen, do me a quick favor: subscribe to the show if you like what we’re doing, leave us a review wherever you're listening, and send this episode to a friend who appreciates good music and classic indie cinema. Now, here is my conversation with Todd Stephens.
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