Opening Friday November 12th
at the AVALON CINEMA

GO FURTHER is a home-grown documentary following hemp-activist and movie star Woody Harrelson and a band of Merry Hempsters down the west coast as they spread the word about Sustainable Organic Living. Directed by Ron Mann (GRASS, COMIC BOOK CONFIDENTIAL), GO FURTHER records the antics and the interactions between the group and the public while they try to spread the organic seeds of living meat-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free. The principals of GO FURTHER peddle bicycles for the 1200 mile trip accompanied by suitable chase vehicle: a biodiesel-fueled bus equipped with a yoga instructor and a raw foods chef.

This would be enough to send most French-fry-loving Yanks screaming from the theatre if it weren’t for the co-star and junk food junkie, Steve Clark. We can all identify with this guy: we love our comfort food no matter how little it loves us. And Woody drags him along on this road trip/detox program, using Steve’s “Dude, where’s my Snickers?” boyish energy to attract people to the cause. Steve has no shame and will talk to anyone about what he’s learned. Watching him share a sesame and kelp candy bar with a 4x4 full of tweakers (“These guys say they’ve been doing crystal meth for four days, man!”) was a crowd pleaser.

Woody’s homespun charm allows him to interact with people without his celebrity getting in the way. Whether it’s touring an earthworm farm, or showing a Bush-voting local the new-age artwork on the bio-bus, he is first a citizen of this planet.

At the Eugene, Oregon, sneak peek of this film, Woody and most of the cast, and the bus, were on hand. The Bijou was packed and Woody and Steve were greeted warmly. Woody is an activist and as such, he was there to listen—to facilitate the exchange of ideas. When the Bijou Goddess, Louise, put an end to the spirited Q&A to get ready for the next show, the audience moved outside into the rain. Although many people there were pressing Woody to sign their basketballs and WHITE MEN CAN’T JUMP DVDs, most were telling him how much they appreciated him lending his voice to the cause of sustainable organic living.

Once the crowd had dwindled to a manageable size, the cast and crew headed for the bus. I found myself in the bus sitting on a hemp pillow asking Woody what the hook is for this film. The people involved in organic living are not the ones who need to see this film. How are we going to get everyone else in to see it?

“That’s a good question. I don’t know.”

Woody, my man, this is show business. Part of this biz is knowing how to sell your product. Your PR people tell you what will create the greatest demand and you say it. But not Woody.

“We just made a film about what we believe and how to live it.” He spoke of how people can change. “When I was young, I didn’t know anything. I voted for Reagan for Governor of California. I used to be a Young Republican.” During the Q&A he spoke of how he got involved in activism after seeing 6 million acres of Montana forest go to the highest bidder. He had to do something and his celebrity status gave him some tools.

It would be fair to say GO FURTHER seems a little self-indulgent, but it’s consistent with the (pardon the pun) organic nature with which this film was made. It is a group of people with a set of beliefs taking to the road to live them and teach them. They had a lot of fun doing it and made a few converts along the way. It allowed me to forgive Woody for not making my job easier by having the two sentence tagline ready to spew.

Though it played in many festivals including Toronto and Berlin, the film did not get picked up for distribution. At this time it’s being distributed to theatres one venue at a time. Woody mentioned the film was shot pretty inexpensively and unlike the major films he’s been in, they can take their time getting it shown (and recouping expenses). “We’re having a lot of fun with it.”

When asked how he felt about giving up some of the more “traditional” perks of his celebrity to hit the road and preach this gospel in colleges and small theatres, he said, “To whom much is given, much is required.”

Steve Clark, a healthy, gregarious, production assistant for television’s “Will and Grace,” front-lines the film. This California-kid convert can light up a room with his smile, and didn’t seemed to be jonesin’ for a Milky Way when I asked him what he got out of being part of this project.

“A new way of living. I feel great. It made a real difference in my own life. For the universe, I hope it makes a difference.”

GO FURTHER has some room for improvement. I would like to have seen more about the other people on the bus. Sonia seemed to have an entertaining sassiness when busted for sneaking a cigarette with Steve. And it was delightful to see Joe Lewis, the bus driver, get a big hand when he entered the Bijou auditorium. Anything vaguely resembling Woody’s private life was missing. Another point I’d like to have seen made is that one of the obstacles preventing hemp fiber’s wider “industrial” acceptance is its association with “recreational” cannabis, a distinction not well made in GO FURTHER. The GO FURTHER website could use some links to answer these questions, and to offer info on, say, what you can do to adopt the use of biodiesel, how Cuba is going solar, and how to fight agri-business.

GO FURTHER is worth seeing if not just to be entertained by a handmade film. It adds a chuckle to the eco-movement and a reminder that what’s happening to our food supply really ain’t very funny at all.