The final installment for the movie adaptation of Atlas Shrugged will hit theaters nationwide, but Sarasotans got a sneak peak at the film during a special screening at Ringling College of Art and Design last week.

The film came to the college courtesy a connection with Sarasotans Joel and Diane Schleicher, who helped finance the movie and also support Ringling College. Joel Schleicher said investing in the movie was a no-brainer for him. "My wife and I are actively engaged in promoting the message of Atlas Shrugged. It's the most influential book I ever read in my life," he said. 

The Ayn Rand book, widely regarded in conservative political circles, has inspired such national figures as U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, who was named for the author. Indeed, the film includes a cameo by U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, the senator's father and a perennial presidential candidate beloved by the libertarian voter set. 

But how exactly did this ode to free markets end up with a screening a campus of art school scholars? Ringling officials stress that the screening should not be read as an endorsement of the political message, but the school also prides itself on exposing students to a broad range of art. The digital filmmaking school, which in a few years of existence has quickly been ranked among the best film schools in the nation, regularly brings in filmmaking talent to teach students about the craft and the industry. "We want to expose students to moviemaking of all types," said Ringling president Larry Thompson. "It's an interesting subject matter, and we are all about ideas."

Producer Harmon Kaslow brought the film to the campus, and during his time here participated in teaching a class, attended a reception with area leaders before the screening and stayed for a Q&A afterward. "It was good to come not only because Florida is a good market—we are opening in a number of theaters in Florida—but also because we get to support digital filmmaking."

A number of attendees at the film were Rand devotees, and many had seen the first two installments of the Atlas Shrugged films. Atlas Shrugged: Part I, released in 2011, grossed $4.6 million, and Atlas Shrugged II: The Strike pulled in $3.3 million according to BoxOfficeMojo.com. 

The major brand of Atlas Shrugged has helped provide that success, though not enough financing to avoid some issues like a rotating cast. Main character Dagny Taggart, for example, was portrayed by Taylor Schilling in the first film and by Samantha Mathis in the second. Laura Regan plays the role in the third film. But Kaslow hopes the piece is judged not for the filmmaking challenges but on how it conveys the message of Rand's book. "This is a message film and it gets judged as a Hollywood film," he said. "That gives some the opportunity to criticize it without addressing what the film means." 

Atlas Shrugged III: Who Is John Galt? opens in select theaters on Friday.

Read more of our interview with Harmon Kaslow at SRQ Backlot