GINGER BOY and The Purpose of Life on Earth
From the Archives
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Drama, Short Films, 10-Jul-2024
A perpetually stoned pothead floats past life’s responsibilities on a cloud of smoke until accidentally smoking an ounce of K2 and descending into an existential rabbit-hole of increasing perplexity. Spencer Witmer directs “GINGER BOY and The Purpose of Life on Earth,” a rich, experimental character study exploring modern psychosis under the influence of drug use, Twitter, uncensored media, New York City, and more. In an unnamed American town, Ginger Newbolt cuts loose, lurks the blocks, and rips from a gas mask bong. We learn about the accidentally smoked laced weed by witnessing the events play out and hearing Ginger’s narration. Very quickly, it all goes south, west, east, and north. Ginger remains aloof in her online therapy call, drops work, barks at snarling hounds, and seeks radicalization in all forms. As hijinks ensue, Ginger searches for even more, reaching to extremes with Nazi sympathizers and Isis members. Vibrant in its visual and sonic texture, the film is edited in sync to the speedy neurons working through Ginger’s mind. Last year we featured Witmer’s “Pair of Dice,” another raw character exploration also led by Brandi Divine. -JM. Director: Spencer Witmer. Cast: Brandi Divine, DP: Spencer Witmer. Editor: Spencer Witmer. Sound Design: Clayton Witmer. sfx Makeup: Logan Esco.
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