By RAY KELLY

I first learned of The Other Side of the Wind from Joseph McBride’s 1972 book Orson Welles.

When the 52 American hostages were freed from Iran in January 1981, I naively believed it would only be a matter of time before I would see Orson Welles’ comeback film playing at my local theater.

Nearly 35 years and many, many heartbreaks later, we are closer than ever to seeing The Other Side of the Wind.

The bickering between the various rights holders has been settled and the negative, pristine and awaiting editing, is being readied for shipment to Los Angeles.

Yet, as with every post-1941 venture by Orson Welles, money remains a stumbling block.

The producers – Filip Jan Rymsza, Frank Marshall and Jens Koethner Kaul – have launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to raise $2 million to allow Affonso Gonçalves to edit the film. Then, a deal with a distributor can be inked. Distributors, understandably, do not want to spend millions on an unseen and unedited, 40-year old negative.

For years, I have hoped a White Knight bearing bags of gold would come riding in to fund Orson Welles’ last film.

It never happened – so it’s up to us.

Some 50,000 or so fans stop by this website each month because they appreciate the works of Orson Welles.

I am asking those who can afford to pitch in to please visit the  Indiegogo website and donate whatever you can.  If you cannot afford to make a contribution, please talk it up on Twitter (#OrsonsLastFilm) or your personal Facebook pages.

Nearly $100,000 was donated within the first 48 hours, but it is crucial to keep that momentum going.

Believe me, I find the whole subject of asking people for money to be distasteful.

Since I took over Wellesnet in 2012, there has been no hat passing and no paid advertisements on this website.

Right now, we are the best chance of The Other Side of the Wind seeing the light of day.

Thanks.
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