Grass Roots: The Movie - A Tribute to Counterculture and Comedy

"Grass Roots" is a unique cinematic adaptation inspired by the iconic underground comic strip "Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers" created by Gilbert Shelton. This film brings to life the quirky and rebellious spirit of the original comics, offering a humorous and satirical take on counterculture and societal norms.

The Origins of "Grass Roots"

The movie draws its essence from Shelton's "Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers," a comic strip that became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture movement. Known for its irreverent humor and sharp social commentary, the comic follows the misadventures of three stoner characters navigating life, politics, and the pursuit of pleasure.

Plot Overview

"Grass Roots" captures the essence of the comic strip by focusing on the brothers' escapades as they embark on a mission to grow and distribute marijuana, aiming to challenge the establishment and promote a free-spirited lifestyle. The film explores themes of rebellion, freedom, and the clash between counterculture and mainstream society.

Themes and Messages

Counterculture and Rebellion

At its core, "Grass Roots" is a celebration of counterculture. It highlights the spirit of rebellion against societal norms and the pursuit of an alternative lifestyle. The film reflects the ethos of the 1960s and 1970s, where questioning authority and seeking personal freedom were central to the countercultural movement.

Humor and Satire

True to the spirit of the original comics, "Grass Roots" employs humor and satire to address serious themes. The film uses comedy to critique societal structures, politics, and the absurdities of the establishment. This blend of humor and social commentary makes the movie both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Cinematic Adaptation

Directed by a filmmaker with a deep appreciation for the source material, "Grass Roots" stays true to the aesthetic and tone of the "Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers." The film features vibrant visuals and a whimsical art style that pays homage to the original comic strip. The characters are brought to life with dynamic performances that capture their eccentric personalities and humorous antics.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, "Grass Roots" was praised for its faithful adaptation of the beloved comic strip. Fans of the "Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers" appreciated the film's dedication to preserving the essence of the original while introducing the characters to a new generation. The movie has since become a cult classic, resonating with audiences who appreciate its blend of comedy, satire, and countercultural themes.

Conclusion

"Grass Roots" is a delightful homage to Gilbert Shelton's "Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers," capturing the humor and rebellious spirit that made the comic strip a cultural icon. The film serves as both a nostalgic trip for fans of the original comics and an introduction to the world of counterculture for new audiences.

Whether you are a long-time fan of the "Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers" or someone looking for a comedic exploration of countercultural themes, "Grass Roots" offers a fun and engaging cinematic experience. It stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Shelton's creation and the timeless nature of its themes.

Producers Notes

From an underground comic book classic of the late 1960's, to an international best selling comic book series and finally to the big screen as a feature length stop-motion model animation film. That is the story so far of The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and Fat Freddy's Cat as they prepare to go into production in an adaption of one of their best loved comic book adventures GRASS ROOTS.

Created by Gilbert Shelton in Austin, Texas in 1968 they are now undergoing the transformation into the third dimension under his watchful eye in an animation studio in Bristol, England where award winning animation director Dave Borthwick (The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb and The Magic Roundabout) is at the helm leading a crew of the finest animation professionals in the industry.

Written by Paul B. Davies and Gilbert Shelton, the adapted screenplay has a taste of today whilst remaining true to the original .

Animation is a lengthy and expensive exercise but the Producers are confident that their efforts to bring the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers to the wide screen will be a success. They are much encouraged by the fact that two out of the three Oscar nominated animation feature films this year are stop-motion model animation and four out of the five best picture Oscar nominations have been independently financed.

Directors Notes

In bringing the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers to the screen, our intention is not simply to create a moving version of the comic books. In " Grass Roots - The Movie" we join our hirsute heroes as they venture on a trip into the third dimension where we experience their world in all its mind -bending, rib-tickling glory.

Stylistically, the Freak Brothers world is an anarchic mix of gritty urban realism and wanton fantasy, created by some of the best sculptors, modelmakers and set builders that the animation industry has to offer. The characters are expertly crafted as latex models and brought to life by the finest animation skills to create an action packed adventure that will absorb and delight fans old and new.

Choosing to work within the 'stop frame' technique gives us the distinctive look and feel of 3D model animation as well as the creative benefits of working 'hands on' with the models and sets. This allows us to more readily take advantage of the spontaneous invention that is an inherent part of the traditional animation process.

C.G.I. techniques will also be used to create the more expansive backgrounds and features that would   otherwise be too costly to physically construct. Our expertise in producing a seamless blend of these two disciplines is already well proven. Further streamlining of the production is made possible by use of the current and developing digital stills-capture technology, allowing for much more lightweight and versatile camera operation.

In order to give our creative teams the opportunity to benefit from the continuing play of ideas that occur during the whole process, our production 'machine' needs also to be flexible and versatile. We will achieve this by using smaller, more   multi-skilled crews thus avoiding specialist skills becoming too isolated within the kind of over-departmentalised production (model) that often results from the misconception that more hands always make faster work- sometimes smaller IS more efficient and economic.

This approach offers two distinct advantages. The first being, the chance to offer our crews the kind of continuously creative environment and practice that drew them to animation in the first place. An inspired team is a productive team and we believe should be encouraged to use the innovative and often unorthodox methods that make animation such a uniquely creative process.

This in turn means that we are less dependant on a prohibitive budget and yet still able to produce a film of originality and high production values, created in the true spirit of a genre that is steadily becoming one of the most popular forms of cinema entertainment.