Corey Feldman Explains Why ‘The Birthday’ Film Took 20 Years To Release

After two decades, one of Corey Feldman‘s lost roles is finally seeing the light of day.

The actor recently addressed the “million-dollar question” of why his 2004 Eugenio Mira-helmed film The Birthday is only now getting a release 20 years later, rolling out in select US theaters through October and November, and on VOD on Oct. 29.

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“I have my own theories,” he told Salon. “The official answer is that the executive producer said he didn’t want to accept any offer that was not a full refund of his expenses to make it theatrical. We wanted it theatrical, but most distributors wouldn’t give money upfront, or would only give a little upfront, saving most [payment] for the backend. DVDs were fading out then, and times were changing. He held strong. We played at some festivals and got tremendous reviews. It was getting the buzz it needed, but he said, ‘No.’ It is what it is.”

Feldman continued, “I wish there was a clean answer. But after 20 years, he finally gave in and relinquished this hold over this film and let it go. Thank you to the man who allowed it.”

Although he wouldn’t name or “badmouth” the EP who held the film hostage for the past 20 years, Feldman said, “I’m glad he made the right choice, and it is out, and people will have the opportunity to see this beloved film. Although the payoff may not be what people expect, it has its reward. It’s a dark comedy in the Lynchian style.”

Set in 1987, The Birthday stars Feldman as Norman Forrester, who attends his girlfriend’s father’s birthday, where he gets caught up in a doomsday cult’s conspiracy.

Feldman added “there’s no question” his career would have turned out differently had the movie been released in 2004. “I don’t want to go down that conspiracy theory road. I feel the stop of this film was done intentionally and for that very reason,” he explained.

“There were people in high places that didn’t want me to be a success,” added Feldman. “They wanted to portray the idea of a fallen hero, someone who lost their craft and ability and was no longer the talented kid they once were. That was the image that they tried to hang on me. When I say ‘They,’ who knows who they are? All I know is that there is an obvious lineage and timeline to the great films I made during those years that somehow were not released or did not get seen, this being the cherry on top. The schlockiest films, the ones I had to take for money to survive are strewn about everywhere. You can always see life’s most embarrassing moments. This is the first time where I feel a bit of validation and redemption — Thank God, while I am still here to enjoy it — to watch a piece of art I cared so much about.

Written by Mira and Mikel Alvarino, the film also stars Jack Taylor, Erica Prior, Rick Merrill, Richard Felix, Dale Douma and Robert Long.

After making its world premiere at the 2004 Sitges Film Festival, The Birthday was acquired by Spanish streaming service Filmin in 2021.

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