Napoleon Dynamite
Napoleon Dynamite is a 2004 American independent coming of age teen comedy film produced by Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt and Sean Covel, written by Jared and Jerusha Hess and directed by Jared Hess. The film stars Jon Heder in the role of the titular character, a nerdy high-school student who deals with several dilemmas: befriending an immigrant who wants to be class president, awkwardly pursuing a romance with a fellow student, and living with his quirky family.
| Napoleon Dynamite | |
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| Directed by | Jared Hess |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | Peluca by Jared Hess |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Munn Powell |
| Edited by | Jeremy Coon |
| Music by | John Swihart |
Production company | Napoleon Pictures |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $400,000 |
| Box office | $46.1 million |
The film was Hess's first full-length movie and is partially adapted from his earlier short film, Peluca (2002). Napoleon Dynamite was acquired at the Sundance Film Festival by Fox Searchlight Pictures, who partnered up with Paramount Pictures and MTV Films for the release. Filming was done at Preston High School, and in different areas in Franklin County, Idaho, in the summer of 2003. It debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2004. Most of the situations in the movie are loosely based on the life of Jared Hess. The film's total worldwide gross revenue was $46.1 million. The film has since developed a cult following and was voted at number 14 on Bravo's 100 funniest movies.