'Super High Me' determined by viewers' opinion
Alex Haueter
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: Features
When it comes to documentary films, controversy spurs box office receipts.
Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" opened on 868 screens in June 2004, making it the most widely debuted documentary in history. It held that record until Sunday, when "Super High Me," an unconventionally distributed documentary-comedy about marijuana legalization and the drug's effects on the body, made its debut on screens throughout the country.
Though "Super High Me" overtook "Fahrenheit 9/11"'s screen record, it won't appear at the top of any money lists because every screening held Sunday was free. Film fans could arrange to show the movie themselves, and the final tally was expected to be just under 1,100 screenings, said Chris Hyams, the founder of B-Side, the company distributing the film.
In the movie, Doug Benson, a veteran stand-up comedian and High Times 2006 Stoner of the Year, goes on a mission to smoke marijuana as much as possible for 30 days in order to get "super high."
"How awesome would it be if it fucking killed me," Benson jokes to a stand-up crowd. "'Grizzly Man' style."
The premise is a spoof on 2004's Oscar-nominated "Super Size Me," in which Morgan Spurlock wreaks havoc on his body by eating McDonald's for every meal for a month.
Benson compares results from a series of tests both with and without marijuana in his system to examine the physical and mental effects of long-term usage. Footage of his appointments is mixed with film of Benson's stand-up performances and footage from various California medicinal marijuana distributors, which allows the film to address not only Benson's personal drug use, but also the controversy between federal and state marijuana laws.
The State Theatre, 1415 O St., was one of the venues to screen the movie Sunday. Manager Ben Churley heard about the film from a friend and arranged a screening with the company. "Super High Me" joined "Before the Music Dies" and "Heima" on the list of B-Side screenings the Lincoln theater has hosted, Churley said.
Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" opened on 868 screens in June 2004, making it the most widely debuted documentary in history. It held that record until Sunday, when "Super High Me," an unconventionally distributed documentary-comedy about marijuana legalization and the drug's effects on the body, made its debut on screens throughout the country.
Though "Super High Me" overtook "Fahrenheit 9/11"'s screen record, it won't appear at the top of any money lists because every screening held Sunday was free. Film fans could arrange to show the movie themselves, and the final tally was expected to be just under 1,100 screenings, said Chris Hyams, the founder of B-Side, the company distributing the film.
In the movie, Doug Benson, a veteran stand-up comedian and High Times 2006 Stoner of the Year, goes on a mission to smoke marijuana as much as possible for 30 days in order to get "super high."
"How awesome would it be if it fucking killed me," Benson jokes to a stand-up crowd. "'Grizzly Man' style."
The premise is a spoof on 2004's Oscar-nominated "Super Size Me," in which Morgan Spurlock wreaks havoc on his body by eating McDonald's for every meal for a month.
Benson compares results from a series of tests both with and without marijuana in his system to examine the physical and mental effects of long-term usage. Footage of his appointments is mixed with film of Benson's stand-up performances and footage from various California medicinal marijuana distributors, which allows the film to address not only Benson's personal drug use, but also the controversy between federal and state marijuana laws.
The State Theatre, 1415 O St., was one of the venues to screen the movie Sunday. Manager Ben Churley heard about the film from a friend and arranged a screening with the company. "Super High Me" joined "Before the Music Dies" and "Heima" on the list of B-Side screenings the Lincoln theater has hosted, Churley said.
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