Columbia TriStar Home Video has slated the release of the acclaimed independent film American Movie for May 23 and sent some details our way. “American Movie” is a humorous documentary portraying the real-life adventures of filmmaking the “American” way as seen by the entrepreneurial newcomer director Chris Smith.

It takes a village to make a movie, but when that village is Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin and not Hollywood, California, the results are at times bizarre, dangerous, comical, and very American. With the help of his mother, his 82-year old uncle, and a local cast of hilarious and lovable characters, filmmaker Mark Borchardt fights his way through internal and external roadblocks to achieve his goal–to make his movie, his way. Mark’s vision for his dream film is unlike most in independent filmmaking today. His inspiration comes from films as disparate as “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “The Seventh Seal”, as well as his experiences growing up amidst the gray skies, rusty cars, and ranch houses of Milwaukee’s Northwest side. “American Movie” is the story of filmmaker Mark Borchardt, his mission, and his dream. Spanning over two years of intense struggle with his film, his family, financial decline, and spiritual crisis, “American Movie” is a portrayal of ambition, obsession, excess, and one man’s quest for the American Dream.

The DVD will contain an audio commentary by director Chris Smith and some of his cast members. 22 deleted scenes will also be part of the release, as well as the short film “Coven” by lead actor Mark Borchardt. The DVD will feature a fullframe presentation of the film with a 5.1 Dolby Digital audio track and carry a suggested retail price of $27.95. AS many of you may remember, Columbia TriStar actually had fans of the film vote for the cover artwork for this DVD and we are proud to present the final packaging ort as it will appear on the actual disc.