Special Screening of Chief Zabu Tickets

On November 18, 2021, a special screening of the comedy film, Chief Zabu, was held at the historic Paris Theater in New York City. This screening, which was hosted by the Reel Works Gala, brought together filmmakers, actors, and comedians to celebrate the hilarious film that has become a cult classic since its release in 1986.

Chief Zabu tells the story of Ben Sydney (Allen Garfield), a New York real estate mogul who travels to Los Angeles to find a way to make more money. While there, he meets a Jamaican energy drink salesman named Sammy (Zack Norman) who introduces him to the world of politics. Ben sees an opportunity to buy his way into becoming the mayor of a small island in the Caribbean called Tiburón, and sets about trying to win over the locals with his flashy suits and fast-talking ways.

The film is a satire of the excesses and absurdities of the Reagan era, and its humor is timeless. From the hilariously inept attempts at speaking Spanish by the American characters to the hot pink Cadillac that is used as a campaign vehicle, the film pokes fun at the arrogance and ignorance of the privileged elite.

At the screening, Zack Norman, who not only starred in but also co-wrote and co-directed the film, discussed the inspiration behind Chief Zabu. He explained how he wanted to create a character that embodied the worst qualities of American capitalism, and how he and co-writer Neil Cohen came up with the idea for Ben after seeing a billboard for a real estate company featuring the slogan "king of the hill".

Norman also talked about the challenges of making an independent film on a shoestring budget. The film was shot in just three weeks, with many of the crew working for free or for very little pay. But despite these obstacles, Chief Zabu managed to attract a talented cast, including Ed Lauter, Allan Arbus, and Marianna Hill.

The screening was attended by a number of comedians who spoke to the enduring appeal of the film. John Leguizamo, who was on hand to present the Reel Works award to Jon Stewart, said that Chief Zabu is "timeless". "It's about a bunch of white guys trying to take over a country they know nothing about," he joked. "How is that not relevant today?"

Comedian and actor Mario Cantone also praised the film. "It's so insane and funny, and yet so accurate about the corruption of politics and capitalism," he said. "It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion."

In an era where political satire has become a mainstay of late-night talk shows and social media, Chief Zabu remains a standout for its irreverence and willingness to tackle taboo subjects. As Norman put it, "We have to laugh at politicians because if we don't, we'll cry."