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The Gateway Drug: Cannabis, Pop Culture, and Comedy

The Gateway Drug: Cannabis, Pop Culture, and Comedy
Cannabis and modern cinema have a nearly lifelong history together. Villanized through propaganda, used as a symbol of counterculture and freedom, and emerging triumphantly as the “Stoner Comedy” - a genre that has managed to endure and evolve for the last 50 years.
In this class we’ll explore the intersection and history of cannabis, culture, and comedy through four screenings that serve as cultural snapshots and often hilarious touchpoints to our ever changing cultural relationship with Weed. Expect to laugh, occasionally cringe, and get the munchies as we discover what these comedies can tell us about how society has feared, embraced, and accepted Mary Jane.

Films:
4/8: Big Lebowski (1998)
4/15: Friday (1995)
4/22: Smiley Face (2007)
4/29: Final Film TBD

This class will be taught by Dylan Reiff, a writer/performer who co-founded Kickstand Comedy and has worked with the Sundance Film Festival, Fantastic Fest, the Stanley Film Festival, and Overlook Film Festival.
Films will be screened at the Movie Madness Miniplex, followed by an instructor-led discussion. Classes will begin on Monday evening, April 8th, and be held each Monday through the 29th, at 6:30pm.
Class size will be limited to 18.
Email us at education@moviemadness.org if you have any questions.

In general, the Hollywood Theatre does not provide content advisories about the subject matter shown in our theatre. Films exhibited don’t necessarily reflect the views of the Hollywood Theatre. Information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media and DoesTheDogDie.com.