CHICAGO -- The long-awaited movie "Atlas Shrugged Part 1" will be hitting theatres nationwide Friday, April 15th. The adaptation of libertarian icon Ayn Rand's 50 year old political thriller is pleasing Rand fans, ambitious capitalists and is energizing young entrepeneurs and political idealists.
It was not an easy task to move the project along, working with idealogues, artists, screenwriters, directors, actors, cast, lawyers and the myriad of behind the scene editors, videographers, and sound professionals. But the producing team of Harmon Kaslov (far left in photo) and John Aglialoro (center left in photo) brought together the talent, the funding and the determination to finish the task and bring the film to American audiences this weekend. (Others in photo are actors Taylor Schilling and Graham Beckel)
Illinois Review had a chance to speak with Harmon Kaslov just before he appeared on John Stossel's Fox Business News show Wednesday, and Kaslov -- who, up until this project was a film director -- shared with IR how he got involved in producing "Atlas Shrugged Part 1".
After owning the rights to produce a film adaptation of "Atlas Shrugged" for 17 years, John Aglialoro was running out of time. Working towards his goal and running upon on obstacle after another for year after year, he would soon be forced to return the rights to author Ayn Rand's estate. In one last attempt, he began talking about it with Hollywood connected people once again, and one of those introductions led to him meeting Harmon Kaslov, who caught Aglialoro's vision and accepted his challenge.
IR: So tell us how you got involved in producing the film.
Kaslov: Kaslov12
IR: The project was something you hadn't done before, a big challenge for any producer. Why did you accept the challenge?
Kaslov: Kaslov22
IR: Working with so many creative people along idealogues devoted to Ayn Rand's philosophy and protective of her work had to be an unusually difficult challenge for a producer.
Kaslov: Kaslov32
IR: A producer has to find the money, the team, the talent and bring them altogether for a project like "Atlas Shrugged." John Aglialoro invested $1 million of his own Cybex fortune into the effort. Did you work to find other investors, and how difficult was it to get others to buy into his vision?
Kaslov: Kaslov4
IR: As the film's producer, are you pleased with the final product "Atlas Shrugged"?
Kaslov: Kaslov52
The rest of the interview with Illinois Review will be published Thursday morning. Kaslov and Aglialoro will be participating in a Chicago screening sponsored by the Chicago Young Republicans Thursday night at the Witt Hotel, 201 North State Street in Chicago. A reception will be at 6:00 PM and the movie will be presented at 7:00 PM.
