A group of indie filmmakers were distraught Thursday after one of only two prints of their latest pic was stolen from the trunk of a car in Hollywood.
Producers of "Cultivating Charlie," a$ 2 million modern-day version of Voltaire's "Candide," said 70 pounds of film and reel were stolen from the trunk of a rental car Thursday afternoon.
"It was ironic that it was stolen in Hollywood of all places," said Raquel Haber, a co-producer on the pic. "What are you going to do with all that film? It's just so frustrating."
Haber said it would cost $ 3,500 to make another print, but more worrisome was the notion of someone else selling copies of the film illegally.
"We've put in two long hard years on this and it's very, very upsetting," Haber said.
The only other print of the pic, helmed by Alex Georges and starring Richard Libertini and Vincent Schiavelli, is headed for Austin, Texas, where it will be shown at the South by Southwest Film Festival March 11-19.
The producers ask anybody with information regarding the theft to call (213) 876-0272.
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com