Tarzan

I just viewed "Emperor or Hemp" and I must say, what a great film. Overall, I would think of it as a one-sided propaganda film, but I still liked it, and I learned a lot about marijuana and hemp prohibition that I didn't know before. I do, however, have some points of critique:

Being a TV news photographer, I was a little disappointed that the director didn't choose to put more natural sound in the film to tell the story. There did appear to be lots of opportunity to get natural sound from the various scenes in the film, ranging from the protest footage to the stuff of him selling and promoting hemp at Venice Beach.

But the one thing that really bugged me, (and I say this from the P.O.V. of a photojournalist critiqueing the visual product) was the shots of the cop cars speeding out of the garage with flashing lights in reference to Mr. Herer's arrest during the Reagan years. I'm assuming that that video used there is some file news footage of cops responding to some routine emergency, and it's used in such a way as to imply that that was actual footage of police rushing out to arrest Jack Herer. That seemed tabloidish to me, and was really the only part of the film that I definitely didn't like.

Don't get me wrong: I agree with Jack Herer's movement. I'm just saying that for future films that are made to promote this cause, I advise staying away from any cinematic techniques that seem sensationalist or staged, because otherwise you'd be stooping to the level of those who made films like Reefer Madness.

Overall, though, I thought it was a powerful film, & I will try to tell as many people as I can about it.

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"On second thought, lets not go to Camelot. It is a silly place..."
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TheCleric

Hey man this belongs in movies and television forum, but im afraid im a mere mortal in this particular forum so i cant move it.

Anyway sounds like an odd flick, as long as its factual i will give it a try but if its just common anti weed ramblings i want nothin to do with it.

Cleric
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"Sometimes we have to sacrafice that which is most dear to us in order to save the world, and now is that time!." Pauly Shore-Biodome.
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Tarzan

It's definitely NOT anti-weed ramblings. Check it out at:
http://www.emperorofhemp.com

Panama

To the Movies & Television forum.

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"This fight against the War on Drugs is not a war in the classic sense of the word, so it's virtually impossible to point to one instance and say, 'That was the battle that stemmed the tide in our favor'. We have had many small victories that have led us to where we are and each day we continue to communicate and educate brings us that much closer to our ultimate goal: The end of marijuana prohibition." -Richard "Panama" Red-
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bo-battie

i watched this movie a couple of nights ago...it's all about jack herer and how he discovered that all the laws against marijuana/hemp cultivation are based on pure, 100% bullsh*t. he also discovered how hemp can literally save the world. i would definitely recommend renting it; it really opens your mind.

Doors Allan Coe

you can pick up the documetary and read more about jack and his cause at www.jackherer.com ...check it out