SXSW Film Festival

Go Further

 (Docu)

By JOE LEYDON

A Sphinx Prods. production in association with Boneyard Entertainment, Cameraplanet and Chum Television. Produced by Ron Mann. Co-producer, Sharon Brooks. Directed by Ron Mann. Screenplay, Solomon Vesta.
 
With: Woody Harrelson.
 

A frankly unbalanced ode to environmentally conscious attitudes and values, documentarian Ron Mann's "Go Further" is unquestioning agitprop for vegetarianism, hemp fiber, solar energy, sustainable organic living and other causes espoused by actor-activist Woody Harrelson. Overall genial tone may help make pic palatable to potential converts. For the most part, though, Mann appears content to preach to the converted. Pic may prove an effective fundraising tool in theatrical and homevid venues.

Pic records Harrelson's 2001 proselytizing tour with like-minded folks down the Pacific Coast Highway aboard a brightly colored bus fueled by hempseed oil. Resemblances between this and journeys made by Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters in the 1960s are not coincidental -- Kesey himself appears (in a scene filmed shortly before his death) to give his blessing to the new activists. Harrelson occasionally stops at college campuses and public gatherings to spread the good word about organic living. Traveling companion Steve Clarke, a TV production assistant, provides comic relief while gradually (and, yes, reluctantly) weaning himself from milkshakes, cheeseburgers and other unhealthy foodstuffs. Harrelson comes off as more thoughtful than his often bumptious movie and sitcom image might indicate. Strong medicine is sugarcoated with tasty soundtrack tunes performed by, among others, Dave Matthews and Natalie Merchant.

Camera (color), Robert Fresco; editor, Robert Kennedy; music, Guido Luciani; sound (Dolby), Mike Rosnick. Reviewed at South by Southwest Film Festival (Documentary Special Screening), March 7, 2003. Running time: 80 MIN.