Ellen as Ilene in Napoleon Dynamite
Napoleon Dynamite Press Release
Toronto native Ellen Dubin plays Tupperware-obsessed housewife in new film
Updated at 11:34 on June 10, 2004, EST.
VANCOUVER (CP) – Napoleon Dynamite, the quirky, black comedy that had even the critics rolling in the aisles at the Sundance Film Festival hits U.S. screens Friday and begins preview screenings in Canada a week later.
Set in the rural town of Preston, Idaho, the film features the title character with his red afro, moon boots and illegal government ninja moves helping a friend secure a student council spot.
The first film from director Jared Hess, Napoleon Dynamite features newcomer Jon Hader in the lead with Toronto native Ellen Dubin cast as an off-the-wall housewife.
“I actually wore purple polyester bought at Wal-Mart,” Dubin said. “I was a Tupperware-obsessed woman . . . my little Stepford, perky, Mary Tyler Moore-type woman. Lot’s of pink makeup – overdone.”
After her Tupperware research for the role, Dubin can now spot a fake Tupperware burp at 50 paces.
While she waits for the film’s release, Dubin is out looking for a copy of Lifetime Guarantee: Phranc’s Adventures in Plastic, the 2001 documentary about how the Jewish lesbian punk folk singer Phranc became the top Tupperware salesperson in the U.S.
Dubin said if the ultra-critical Sundance press corps liked the film, then the public will love it as Napoleon Dynamite is a nerd everyone can click with.
“We’ve all got a nerd in us,” Dubin said. “I love stories of underdogs.”
The cast also features Diedrich Bader, better known to TV fans as sidekick Oswald in The Drew Carey Show, and Haylie Duff, sister of Hilary.
The Canadian Press, 2004
Napoleon Dynamite Chosen
The Independent Film titled “Napoleon Dynamite” has been chosen to compete with 15 other films for The Dramatic Competition of 2004 The Sundance Festival Jan. 15-25 in Park City, Utah. Ellen was asked by the producer, Chris Wyatt, to fly down to Utah last summer to perform in the cameo role of “Ilene” for Napoleon Dynamite.
DYNAMITE centers on a High School kid, named Napoleon, who tries to make sense of life while growing up in an extremely rural setting. Jon Gries (star of the Polish Brother’s films “JACKPOT”) plays Uncle Rico, Napoleon’s bizarre and inattentive guardian, whose shady business deals plague Napoleon’s social life.
Co-stars in the film include Diedrich Bader (Oswald on TV’s “THE DREW CAREY SHOW”) as Rex, a hopelessly uncoordinated martial arts instructor; Tina Majorino (Enola from “WATERWORLD”) as Napoleon’s nerdy friend Deb; Efren Ramirez (who has appeared in “KAZAAM” and “RAVE”) as Pedro, the new boy in school; Shawndrella Avery (a regular on the UPN sitcom “ONE ON ONE”) as LaFawnduh, an out of town heartthrob; Ellen Dubin (from the Sci-Fi Channel’s “LEXX”) as Ilene, a deranged soccer mom; and renowned female body builder Carmen Brady (1999 “overall winner” at the NPC Masters National Championships) as Starla, Rex’s loving wife.
Ellen’s comedic cameo as the sweet perky housewife, Ilene, will sure to make her fans laugh. She enjoyed returning to comedy.
Awards:
Other News/Articles
April 29, 2017:
Napoleon Dynamite: Where Are They Now
Feb 2006:
Napoleon Dynamite nominated for Best Napoleon Dynamtie has been nominated for the very prestigious Satellite Award for Best Comedy Film.
ELLEN DUBIN has a wonderful comedic cameo role in the huge cult hit , NAPOLEON DYNAMITE . This Independent Feature Film was recently released on DVD throughout North America & sold out the first week. Ellen played a Tupperware obsessed, soccer mom, Ilene, in this Preston, Idaho, USA based movie.
In addition to being an Official Selection at Sundance 2004 this quirky comedy has been nominated for a 10th Annual Critics Choice Award for most popular film (beat out by Spiderman 2), The Independent Spirit Award and International Critics – Satellite Award.
Jan 01 2006:
Napoleon Dynamite nominated for Best Picture Independent Spirit Awards
Alexander Payne’s Sideways is the favourite to sweep the board at the Independent Spirit Awards after it was nominated for six gongs yesterday, including best feature, best actor, best screenplay and best director.
Sideways, about two friends reflecting on their lives while travelling through California’s wine region, is also selected in the best supporting actor and best supporting actress categories.
The awards, intended to promote offbeat features, are open to films whose budget comes in under $15m (£7.8m) – although the rules were bent to accommodate Sideways, whose costs were between $16m and $17m.
In close second is Maria Full of Grace, the critically acclaimed portrait of a Colombian woman who becomes a drug mule, which collected five nominations including best actress, best first screenplay and best supporting actress.
Five films will battle it out for the best feature: Napoleon Dynamite, about a geeky school misfit; Garden State, the story of a Hollywood actor’s homecoming to New Jersey; The Woodsman, a drama about an out-of jail paedophile starring Kevin Bacon; Brother to Brother, in which a gay black man discovers the Harlem Renaissance; and Saints and Soldiers, a second world war action drama.
Oct 01 2005:
Napoleon Dynamite in December – Artwork added
Fox Home Entertainment have announced the Region 1 DVD release of Napoleon Dynamite for 21st December 2004 priced at $29.98. Napoleon Dynamite is a new kind of hero, complete with a tight red ‘fro, sweet moon boots, and skills that can’t be topped. Napoleon spends his days drawing mythical beasts, duking it out with his brother, Kip, and avoiding his scheming Uncle Rico. When two new friends enter Napoleon’s life – shy Deb and mustachioed Pedro – the trio launches a campaign to elect Pedro for class president and make the student body’s wildest dreams come true. But if Pedro is to beat stuck-up Summer, Napoleon will have to unleash his secret weapon. Presented on a double-sided disc with both Widescreen and Full Screen transfers you will find the following bonus features:
- Audio commentary by Director/Co-Writer Jared Hess, actor Jon Heder and Producer Jeremy Coon
- 5 Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Director/Co-Writer Jared Hess, actor Jon Heder and Producer Jeremy Coon
- Still gallery
- The Making of the Wedding of the Century featurette
- MTV On-Air promos
- Trailer: Arrested Development