Jared Hess on Rad
Jared Hess on Rad
The Napoleon Dynamite director and co-writer brings us Hal Needham's totally '80s flick about one BMX-riding kid and his quest to bring home the Helltrack hardware.
Talking with Jared Hess took me back. Way back to 2004 and the Library Theatre at Sundance where we premiered his first feature film - the instant classic, Napoleon Dynamite. With his own brand of special, his wacky friends and even wackier family, Napoleon was met with a contagious joy that continues to ripple through the universe 20 years later. Playful, insightful, and still exuding his signature spark, Jared himself is nothing short of rad. -J.C.
Twenty years ago, one of the most indelible movie characters of recent decades was born when Napoleon Dynamite premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. From Vote for Pedro T-shirts to the pet llama Tina (aka: “Fat Lard”) and a seriously iconic dance number, Napoleon Dynamite has earned a top slot in the pop culture canon of the 21st century. This week, Cooper and Tabitha speak with Jared Hess who, together with his co-writer and wife Jerusha Hess, is the force behind Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre (co-written with Mike White), Masterminds, and more.
Jared shares his deep love for Hal Needham’s Rad (1988), a classic ‘80’s teen flick about competitive BMX racing and a bike battle between local kids and the professional riders who come to town. We learn a bit about director Hal Needham, the highest paid stunt double of his time who directed action-packed classics like Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and The Cannonball Run (1981). Plus, how Rad’s soundtrack featuring The Sparks, opening sequence cinematography by a young Robert Schwartzman, and a curious activity dubbed “ass-sliding” make this a feel-good sports movie for kids of any generation.
About the Film - Rad
The story of Cru Jones, a young man with the intensity and desire to win a BMX race called Helltrack. 1988.
Directed by Hal Needham
Written by Sam Bernard, Geoffrey Edwards
Principal cast:
Bill Allen (Cru)
Bart Conner (Bart Taylor)
Lori Laughlin (Christian)
Music by James Di Pasquale
Cinematography by Richard Leiterman
Editing by Carl Kress