Matthew McConaughey’s New Film The Beach Bum Fights Cannabis Stigma
photo by David Torcivia
Casting calls have begun for Matthew McConaughey’s new film The Beach Bum that focuses on cannabis and of course co-stars Snoop Dogg. The film’s notorious director Harmony Korine hopes to premiere the film in cannabis smoke-filled theaters, proving how far he is willing to go in order to promote cannabis as “the new normal.”
Movie makers are searching for extras in the Key West area during filming. Korine has earned respect in the world of film after writing his critically-acclaimed debut KIDS. The director shocked viewers with films like Gummo and successfully made James Franco into a terrifying bully in Spring Breakers co-starring Selena Gomez.
The director has about 30 theatre rooms that initially said they would be willing to allow cannabis consumption. “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 Télérama. It is possible in some states, such as California, that have legalized this drug for [medical use]. We already have about thirty rooms that have accepted.” Korine said the film’s theme will run along the lines of classic Cheech and Chong films.
McConaughey’s open adoration for cannabis is “undeniable.” Rolling Stone listed Matthew McConaughey under its “50 Most Successful Marijuana Enthusiasts You Should Know.” McConaughey said that he’s still traumatized by his cannabis-related 1999 arrest. “I saw the cop’s eyes get big when he identified me, and it became, ‘Oh, look what we’ve got here,'” McConaughey confided to Playboy. “My first call was to my mother. I was feeling guilty because I was not raised to be in jail.” Police eventually dropped the paraphernalia, possession and resisting transportation charges to a Class A misdemeanor.
McConaughey joined the project last February and will star as Moondog, a “rebellious and lovable rogue who lives life large.” McConaughey’s past Oscar-worthy performances and Korine’s sheer genius is sure to make this film maximize its potential.
