Ten years ago, Napoleon Dynamite premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, sparking a bidding war that ultimately left the film in the hands of Paramount Pictures and Fox Searchlight, in association with MTV Films. Critical reception was mixed on the blatantly quirky film, directed by Jared Hess, about a weirdo who tries to win the class presidency. But once it hit theaters, the film lit up.
Fast-forward a decade and the film has become one of the most quoted and recognizable comedies of the new millennium. Not to mention, every other person in your high school class had a Vote for Pedro pin from Hot Topic.
Yet, to fully appreciate the unexpected hit, we must get familiar with its humble beginnings. Here are 15 things you didn't know about Napoleon Dynamite.
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