The gods must be crazy. Canberras longest running film?

Initially released in South Africa in 1980 the film didn't see an american release until 1982 in which it performed poorly. Gods was rereleased by 20th century fox in 1984, hitting Australia for a short run in capital cities before being considered a “flop” in January 1985, but something odd happened in canberra. It resonated with audiences. Canberra times film reviewer Dougal mcdonald gave it a glowing review while noting the lack of advertising put into it by the distributors and questioning why it wasn't released earlier in the summer school holidays. Its successful run in canberra and perth eventually lead to it being re run in sydney and melbourne.

Article from Canberra times 30th January 1986.

The gods must be crazy ran at electric shadows for almost two whole years following its initial release. 

To celebrate the 12 month anniversary of screening Canberra times held a competition where you could send in a coupon to win 25  family passes and celebrate the event with a coke bottle shaped cake.

By 1987 Gods had been released on VHS in australia by CBS fox with the canberra times review mentioning it was on semi permanent rotation still at electric shadows, Electric shadows employee Cris Kennedy recalls “I went to Electric Shadows for work experience in 1986 (and stayed for about 12 years after that). I was there for the cake day. We were still running the film almost up to the end of the second year, and I played it for a bunch of late shows through the 90s, when I was programming the cinema (up to 98). By the 90s the audience was mostly stoned ANU kids at late shows but we got families coming to the film while it was on full sessions in the 80s”

Anyone wanna join me for a guerilla screening of The gods must be crazy outside the boulevarde? I'll bring the generator. And if anyone has a photo of the cake send it in!