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Deep Dive: Special When Lit (2009)

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Film Lens

Special When Lit
Special When Lit is a feature-length documentary directed by Brett Sullivan that focuses on the history and cultural significance of pinball machines. The film presents interviews with fans, collectors, designers, and champion players from various countries, including the U.S., France, Italy, Sweden, Australia, and the UK. It traces the evolution of pinball from its peak popularity in the 1950s to the 1970s, when the pinball industry generated more revenue than the American film industry. Filming occurred between mid-2006 and 2008, with post-production completed in London. The film premiered at the Raindance Film Festival in October 2009 and was nominated for Best Documentary. It has been recognized for its engaging storytelling and emotional depth, capturing the nostalgia and passion of pinball enthusiasts, as noted by various film critics and festival directors.

Why Watch

  • •Meet passionate pinball collectors from around the world.
  • •See interviews with pinball designers and champion players.
  • •Find out how pinball shaped pop culture from the 1950s to today.

Did You Know

•The pinball industry made more money than the American film industry from the 1950s to the 1970s.
•Special When Lit won Best Feature Documentary at the Los Angeles United Film Festival in 2009.
•The film was shot in multiple countries including the U.S., France, and Australia between 2006 and 2008.
•It was released on DVD and Blu-ray in January 2011, two years after its premiere.

Perfect For

Pinball enthusiastsDocumentary loversFans of retro gaming