From his film debut as the screenwriter behind the groundbreaking New York City classic Kids to the technicolor Florida crimeland of Spring Breakers, Harmony Korine has never shied away from controversy or cannabis. In his latest directorial endeavor, Korine has paired Matthew McConaughey and Snoop Dogg for The Beach Bum, a weed-soaked return to the Sunshine State. Keeping with his track record of boundary pushing, Korine won’t restrict the heady vibes to the silver screen, with plans to hot box at least 30 movie theaters, surrounding viewers with plumes of real marijuana smoke as the movie plays.
According to W Magazine, Korine mentioned his plans to French film publication Telerama, telling reporters that he is working out agreements with over two dozen theaters to show 420-friendly screenings of the oceanside buddy flick.
“I would very much like to see the film, when it’s released, be shown in rooms that spread curls of marijuana [smoke]," Korine told Telerama. "It is possible in some states, such as California, that have legalized this drug for [medical use]. We already have about 30 rooms that have accepted.”
The Beach Bum has barely started production and has a theatrical release slated for 2018, but that hasn’t stopped Korine from securing the movie’s place in stoner cinema lore early. With known stoners Snoop and McConaughey already on board and smoke-filled screenings on deck, expectations are already climbing high.
As for the film’s plot, not much is known outside of McConaughey’s character’s name — Moondog — but Korine has described the project as “about somewhat depressive marijuana smokers, in the spirit of Cheech and Chong.”
According to Deadline, the film is an “irreverent comedy that follows the misadventures of a rebellious and lovable rogue who lives life large.”
We’re still not exactly sure what that will entail, but if the theater is being pumped full of smoke, you can bet we’ll be there, front row center.
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