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Purpleman on the silver screen: Feel-good movie follows his seriously silly story

Fri 10 Jun

Purpleman in the movie. Or should we call him Cliff?

Fri 10 Jun 2016  @ 2:02pm
Jack Gevertz
News

Purpleman makes his big screen debut this month with a film which follows his “crazy search for inner happiness”.

York’s most colourful character has teamed up with former animator and director Rob Martin to create The Chronicles Of Purpleman.

The movie’s UK premiere will take place at City Screen on June 20, followed by a Q&A with PM himself.

The Chronicles Of Purpleman (Cert 12A)

City Screen, Coney Street

Mon Jun 20 @ 8.30pm

Free

More details

The first ticket to the 77-minute film was given to Dave Taylor, the city’s new Lord Mayor, in a special event which saw the Fishergate councillor’s hair painted purple.

Tickets are free, but viewers are encouraged to donate to Purpleman’s next Syrian orphans mission. Everyone is encouraged to wear purple.

Cllr Taylor said: “It’ll be a wacky evening but with an underlying message about the plight of refugees.

“Respect due to Purpleman for combining silliness with seriousness in such an entertaining way.”

“We never intended to make a movie but it was us enjoying ourselves so we decided to share the love with other people,” Purpleman told YorkMix.

“We filmed over two years in Yorkshire mainly. It was originally a fun thing but it started to look like a proper film so we decided to put it together as one.”

He said the movie also sells the city and county he calls home.

“It features many well known Yorkshire landmarks and people, plus stunning scenery, and makes York look even more stunning.

“It also features cameo roles for the four other men who have played Purpleman in the past – yes there are five Purplemen, all of whom will be present at the film premiere.”

Silly – and serious

At the Madhyamaka Kadampa Meditation Centre in Pocklington, with one of the Buddhist monks
At the Madhyamaka Kadampa Meditation Centre in Pocklington, with one of the Buddhist monks

The film finally reveals where Purpleman came from: Purpleland. In the movie, Purpleman ends up on Earth, but for some reason he has to return to homeland… which turns out to be his search for his own inner-happiness.

Rob said: “There is a bit in the film where a Buddhist monk talks to Purpleman and he talks about inner-happiness.

“After the silliness of the film, it comes out that the search is for this inner-happiness.

“It starts off as a bit of a silly film but it does get very serious. I’ve seen people crying at this film because it’s so real.”

Totally different

Next to his secret HQ, the Purple Cave
Next to his secret HQ, the Purple Cave

He added: “When people have viewed this film they go ‘Wow, what’s this?’. It’s so different, and it’s not like the stuff on television. It is totally different.”

According to the pair, “Everything you think you know about Purpleman will be blown away in an inspiring, hilarious and uplifting way.”

Rob said: “We have created a film without rules and limitations, because we ate the movie-makers guide book.

“After the indigestion passed (you’ll hear this in the film!) the result is something that will inspire inner-joy in the viewer… after they have stopped crying from laughter.

“Kids will love this – young and old ones.”

How to get tickets

Tickets may collected now from Stonegate shops Old Guys Rule or Pyramid Gallery during opening hours

Tickets may be collected from Purplemen in Stonegate: June 11, 18 and 19

Email your details to [email protected] and we can post tickets (last ticket orders for posting – June 17), or to reserve tickets to collect on the night


Related YorkMix stories

Video: Purpleman delivers York flowers, tributes and love to the people of Brussels

Man hurls foul-mouthed tirade at Purpleman as he collects messages of support for Brussels – video

Video: Purpleman says goodbye to his life as a street entertainer in York


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