This article is more than 11 years old

This article is more than 11 years old

Volkswagen is to screen a mini-film exploring Dudeism, the "religion" inspired by the character "the Dude" in 1998 movie The Big Lebowski, in more than 500 independent cinemas across the UK.

The 60-second clip, which tells the story of Dudeism devotee Oliver Benjamin, is one of three telling the story of people whose lives have been changed by films.

They will run before the main feature as part of VW's support of independent cinema.

"After watching The Big Lebowski for a few times I suddenly realised that this is it, this is the message for our time and place," said Benjamin, who is seen wandering around in a bathrobe and sandals and playing the Dude's favourite sport of ten-pin bowling. "The religion is called Dudeism and the Dude represents a character who really knows how to just take it easy in the face of all sorts of struggles and strives and negative things that come his way."

The other clips, all created by ad agency DDB London, feature a weightlifting champ inspired by Sylvester Stallone's Rocky films and a young magician who identifies with Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

The short clips will run in more than 550 independent cinemas including Curzon, Electric, Ritzy and Picturehouse networks.

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