Richard Linklater and “Dazed and Confused” Cast Reunite for 30th Anniversary Celebration at Austin’s Paramount Theatre
The cult classic film reunited fans and cast in Austin for a milestone celebration, featuring a red carpet, screening, and Q&A at the iconic Paramount Theatre
The iconic coming-of-age film “Dazed and Confused” celebrated its 30th anniversary with a star-studded reunion on September 28 at Austin’s historic Paramount Theatre, where it first premiered in 1993. Presented by the Austin Film Society (AFS) and Focus Features, the sold-out event featured a red carpet with director Richard Linklater and 15 cast members, followed by a special screening and a Q&A session.
The 1993 film, directed by Austin native Richard Linklater, has achieved cult status over the past three decades, though it was not an immediate box-office success. Initially grossing just $8 million against a $6.9 million budget, the film gained widespread popularity after its release on DVD.
Although “Dazed and Confused” struggled to find its audience during its initial theatrical run, critics like Roger Ebert praised its authentic portrayal of adolescence, calling it “art crossed with anthropology,” while the Austin Chronicle’s Marjorie Baumgarten lauded it as “one of the most exciting movies of this, or any other, year.”
An enduring legacy
Shot in Austin during the summer of 1992, the film continues to resonate with locals. Many of the filming locations, like the Top Notch burger joint on Burnet Road, still stand today. Other notable spots include the party at the Moontower, filmed at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park, and the Emporium scenes shot at the Violet Crown Shopping Center next to Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew.
Linklater, who grew up in Huntsville, Texas, originally set out to make Dazed and Confused an anti-nostalgia film, aiming to showcase the less romanticized aspects of adolescence. However, audiences have embraced the movie for its portrayal of muscle cars, classic rock, and late-night drives, ultimately creating a sense of nostalgia for the 1970s. During the Q&A, Linklater reflected on his original vision, saying, “I was just trying to capture some kind of moment in time, some kind of energy, some kind of realism.”
The film introduced audiences to several actors who would go on to have successful careers, including Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, and Parker Posey. McConaughey’s iconic line, “Alright, alright, alright,” has become a hallmark of his career and a beloved catchphrase in pop culture.
The reunion featured appearances by 15 original cast members, including Milla Jovovich (Michelle Burroughs), Joey Lauren Adams (Simone Kerr), Christine Harnos (Kaye Faulkner), Anthony Rapp (Tony Olson), Marissa Ribisi (Cynthia Dunn), Michelle Thomas (Jodi Kramer), Wiley Wiggins (Mitch Kramer), Catherine Morris (Julie Simms), Christin Hinojosa-Kirschenbaum (Sabrina Davis), Esteban Powell (Carl Burnett), Heidi Van Horne (Freshman Girl 3), Kathleen Cunningham (Pickford’s Mom), Priscilla Kinser-Craft (Freshman Girl 1), Mark Vandermeulen (Tommy Houston), and Mona Lee Fultz (Mrs. Kramer).
During the Q&A, cast members shared memories and anecdotes from the filming process. Wiley Wiggins, who played Mitch Kramer and was 16 during filming, recounted, “For me, it’s the baseball scene… I lied to get this part. Linklater explicitly asked me if I could pitch a baseball and I said, ‘Yeah, sure.’ I can’t.” He added, “It was trial by fire, but it was a good experience. You’re seeing me get socialized as a very awkward, twitchy teen in real time.”
A heartfelt reunion
Catherine Avril Morris, who portrayed Julie Simms, reflected on the film’s lasting impact: “Something that Linklater is really good at is distilling a moment of nostalgia. This, as a coming-of-age film, caught those moments of in-the-moment nostalgia for things you’ll be nostalgic for 30 years down the line, and here we are 30 years later.”
The event, originally scheduled for 2023, was postponed due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Tickets sold out in under five minutes, highlighting the enduring appeal of the film, which continues to attract new generations of fans.
Cast member Michelle Thomas, who played Jodi Kramer, summed up the bittersweet nature of the reunion, saying, “It feels wonderful, it’s joyous, it’s heartbreaking. I miss everybody so much, and seeing everyone in the same place again is just delightful.”
For those unable to attend the anniversary event, a 4K restoration of “Dazed and Confused” will be showing at AFS Cinema from Oct. 3 to Oct. 10.
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