Seventh Art Releasing nabs world rights to the feature documentary, The Journey, immediately following its world premier at SXSW. Here’s the story, in 1993, Eric Saperston, just out of liberal arts college and penniless, took a VW bus and went across the country selling “sexy kind grilled cheese sandwiches made with love” at rest stops. While out on the road, Eric called up from pay phones some of the most powerful people in America and asked them out for a cup of coffee. Without any connections whatsoever, Saperston mastered his way into Jimmy Carter, Jerry Garcia, Billy Crystal, Donald Keough (former CEO, Coca-Cola), Oz Nelson (former CEO, UPS), Arlo Guthrie, Alan Keyes, Carl Lewis, Bernie Marcus (co-founder, The Home Depot) and others. While in Hollywood, Henry Winkler became advisor and confidant to the project. The film’s producer is Saperston’s longtime collaborator, Patrick Jones; teammate Kathleen Kelly shot and is also featured in the film.
In the process, singer-songwriter and college fave Edwin McCain joined Saperston in a two-man theatrical show which was performed in colleges around the country; a book is in the works.
In Redmond WA, while in the process of trying to interview Bill Gates, Saperston and his crew ran out of money. “We hope Mr. Gates will offer his perspective,” said Udy Epstein of Seventh Art.
“Thousands of young kids we met on the road told us–go talk to Bill Gates,” Saperston recalls. “This is not ‘Roger and Me,’ we are rather seeking advice.”
Ann Richards, Texas’ former Governor, who is featured in the film, attended the SXSW screening.
