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Chicken Park
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Wikipedia article
'Chicken Park' is a 1994 comedy parody film directed by and starring Jerry Cal that parodies various films, especially the 1993 film 'Jurassic Park'. The film, Cal's directorial debut, was released on April 5, 1996 in Turkey.
Synopsis
When Vladimiro's (Jerry Cal) chicken is stolen while he is in the Dominican Republic for a cockfight, he immediately begins trying to get it back. During his searches he discovers an entire zoo full of gigantic chickens.
Cast
*Jerry Cal as Vladimiro
*Demetra Hampton as Sigourney
*Rossy de Palma as Necrophelia Addams
*Lawrence Steven Meyers as Dr. Eggs
*Alessia Marcuzzi as Airplane hostess
Production
The film was shot between Santo Domingo and Rome. It was filmed in English. The budget was two and a half billion lire. The film marked both the directorial debut of Cal and the film debut of actress Alessia Marcuzzi. It was also the last work as special effects artist for Antonio Margheriti. Cal had previously announced his debut as director with a completely different project, a biographical drama film about Umberto Bossi and Lega Nord, 'Il Longobardo', that was eventually abandoned.
Parodies
The film mainly parodies 'Jurassic Park' but also references many outer films and cultural icons in some gags, such as 'The Addams Family, Home Alone, The Deer Hunter, Full Metal Jacket, Sister Act, Pretty Woman, Hot Shots!, Il Postino: The Postman' and 'Edward Scissorhands'. Moreover, Pope John Paul II appears as a washer.
Release
'Chicken Park' premiered at the 14th edition of Fantafestival, in which it entered the main competition. Due to production problems, it was not released theatrically in Italy. Broadcast by Italia 1, at its television premiere the film was seen by over 4 million people. The film was later released in Turkey as 'Pili parki' and subsequently in Spain as 'Pollo jursico'.
Reception
Critical reception for the film was generally negative, with 'L'espresso' calling the film "trash" and 'MDZ Online' commenting that the film was of such poor quality that it had the potential to become a cult classic. Film critic Marco Giusti described the film as "supertrash", "more stupid than funny" and a film in which the best actor probably is Jo, the chicken owned by Cal. According to film critic Paolo Mereghetti the film fails almost entirely to raise a smile and the English version of the film, with Cal self-dubbing himself, is a must for trash-lovers. According to author Massimo Bertarelli, the film is just made of "exasperating drollery and depressing sloppiness".
References
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