Attend the “Napoleon Dynamite” Live! 20th Anniversary Celebration on Nov. 7, 2024, at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City. Cast members will answer questions following the film. (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
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While doing press for his latest film, “Seven Cemeteries,” which hit screens in early October, Efren Ramirez is always asked about “Napoleon Dynamite.”
The affable co-star of the enduring cult film has no problem speaking about the movie that launched his career in 2004. “Journalists can’t help but talk about ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ and I get it,” Ramirez said. “I will always talk about it since it’s such a special film. People still want to see it and talk about it.”
That’s why “Napoleon Dynamite Live,” a tour featuring the film and the actors is on a national jaunt, which stops Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City. Ramirez, who plays Pedro Sanchez, and costars Jon Heder, the titular character and Jon Gries as the hilarious Uncle Rico, will wax about the movie and take questions from the audience after a screening.
If you go
What: Napoleon Dynamite Live: 20th Year Celebration
When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7, 2024
Where: Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City
Cost: $20, $34 and $44; $150 VIP
Tickets: (319) 688-2653, englert.org/events/
Details: A screening of the film will be followed by a discussion with cast members Jon Heder, Jon Gries and Efren Ramirez
“We love talking about the movie,” Ramirez said. “We enjoy these tours since we focus on this unique film. Part of what I love about the film and I think the reason so many people enjoy ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ is because it’s all about the story. There are no special effects, there is no green screen. It’s a simple story about people trying to figure out life. I will cherish forever that I was part of this incredible movie.”
Efren Ramirez, Pedro in ‘Napoleon Dynamite’
The charming coming-of-age film features Dynamite, an awkward high school student, who befriends an immigrant, Pedro, who runs for class president. Dynamite also deals with his quirky family. The low budget film, which was made for $400,000, broke out after debuting at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004. The film’s gross is more than $46 million and has a legion of famous fans.
“It was crazy seeing icons like Tom Cruise, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Denzel Washington wearing ‘Vote for Pedro’ shirts,” Ramirez said. “They were big fans.”
“Napoleon Dynamite” is a classic buddy film with a pair of friends leaning on each other and growing. Ramirez was surprised and blown away when he first read the script. “The film reminded me of ‘Midnight Cowboy,’ Ramirez said. ”Napoleon and Pedro help each other out and enable each other to get through life.“
And then there are the character actors, such as Uncle Rico and Kip, who is Napoleon’s brother, who is so odd that he makes his sibling look extroverted. “When we were making the film we kept quoting our favorite lines from Kip and we also kept doing his mannerisms,” Ramirez said. “It was an unusual experience making the movie.”
It was so unusual and low budget that the local bully played himself in the film and was paid in a unique manner.
“The bully in ‘Napoleon Dynamite,’ who was the bully in real life was given soda and potato chips to be in the film,” Ramirez said. “I have so many memories of that movie. It’s so nostalgic for me and the fans. Many of them come out to the screenings wearing ‘Vote for Pedro’ shirts.”
So who should “Napoleon Dynamite” fans vote for in the presidential election?
“Vote for anyone who will lead your heart into goodness and lead with light, love, wisdom and hope,” Ramirez said. “In the end, you cannot align yourself with darkness. Just be with the light. That’s what Pedro would say.”
When the cast does the Q&A, there’s always a question about the pivotal dance sequence Dynamite delivers.
“People want to know if what Jon did up on that stage was choreographed,” Ramirez said. “He just did what he wanted and he kicked butt.”
The other big question is if there will be a sequel.
“People always ask for a follow-up to ‘Napoleon Dynamite,’” Ramirez said. “That may or not be explored. It’s out there in the universe. People want to see it but we’ll see what happens.”
Pedro doesn’t exist without the vision of writers Jared and Jerusha Hess.
“The characters were all very specific,” Ramirez said. “They know that world because of where Jared grew up.”
The film was shot in tiny Preston, Idaho, where Jared Hess came of age.
“The time we spent in Preston was amazing,” Ramirez said. “Who would guess that we would still be talking about ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ 20-years after the film was released?”
