ItâÂÂs official: âÂÂMy Big Fat Greek Weddingâ has surpassed âÂÂThe Blair Witch Projectâ as the highest grossing independent film of all time. It just knocked off Hollywood blockbuster âÂÂMen in Black IIâ as the top five money earner of 2002, and the picture has remained in the national top 10 for dozens of weeks.

It also seems to have been playing at LawrenceâÂÂs Liberty Hall forever.

âÂÂWe figured it would be something that would do good three or four weeks, then weâÂÂd bring in some other movies,â says Darren Fox, Liberty Hall Cinemas manager. âÂÂItâÂÂs been a pretty big surprise.

âÂÂItâÂÂs in its 16th week here and it sold out the 7 p.m. show last Saturday night.âÂÂ

The tale of a 30-something Greek woman (Nia Vardalos) from a huge extended family who falls in love with a WASPish teacher (John Corbett) has racked up a whopping $192.8 million in the U.S. and counting.

Fox asserts the movie appeals to those looking for escapist fare.

âÂÂThe biggest thing is that itâÂÂs pretty light,â he explains. âÂÂThereâÂÂs no ending to figure out. ThereâÂÂs nothing disturbing that happens. ItâÂÂs just a light romp. People seem to be looking for something that is pure entertainment.âÂÂ

Interestingly, Fox is not particularly fond of the flick.

âÂÂWhen I saw that movie I hated it instantly,â he says, laughing. âÂÂAnd (because of projection duties) IâÂÂve seen the very beginning and the very end of it WAY too many times.âÂÂ

One drawback of the filmâÂÂs protracted stint is that Liberty Hall has been forced to cut back on the run of engagement for some movies and bypass others altogether. Fox mentions âÂÂOne Hour Photoâ and âÂÂSex and Luciaâ as examples that got yanked from Liberty Hall because no screening slots were available.

âÂÂIt bumps a lot of films,â he says. âÂÂA perfect example is this monthâÂÂs âÂÂ’Auto Focusâ or âÂÂ’Secretary.â They didnâÂÂt do horribly, but because of âÂÂ’Greek Weddingâ being there, we have to drop them sooner than we probably would. We enjoy giving films a chance, even if theyâÂÂre not doing anything. If itâÂÂs a good movie we like to keep it around and let everybody see it.âÂÂ

Surprisingly, âÂÂGreek Weddingâ is not the theaterâÂÂs record holder for duration Ãi¿½” not by a long shot.

Quentin TarantinoâÂÂs âÂÂPulp Fictionâ lasted an astonishing 34 weeks in 1994-95. In second place is the Chinese-language hit âÂÂCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,â which ran 25 weeks in 2001.

However, Fox says the attendance for âÂÂGreek Weddingâ has been so consistently strong that if it plays another six weeks itâÂÂs likely to become the theaterâÂÂs highest grosser of all time.

He adds, âÂÂThe âÂÂ’Greekâ has been good for us because it allows us to continue to be an art house and continue to show art films.âÂÂ