Instant Buzz: Drugs in Film

Locals--
Darren here. If you've checked the SXSW panel schedule, you may have noticed that our picture will be represented on the "Drugs in Film" panel by yours truly, with the possibility of Danny joining in the fun as well.

Last night I watched the (unintentionally) hilarious American classic Reefer Madness (or as it was originally known: Tell Your Children), the 1936 exploitation film in which high school students run amuck in madness, violence and rape after using "marihuana". I realized that watching that movie was an excellent way to prepare for the SXSW panel. I've decided to add a few more "drug" films to my queue and try to watch them before the festival, including Up in Smoke, the first Cheech and Chong movie, Scarface, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and Blow. Those films, it seems, trace the path of drug films in Hollywood through the 20th Century.

I'd love to hear from any of you Lost Coast Locals for some other recommendations of good films to look at in preparation for the dicussion on drugs in film. Also, seeing as this panel's aim is to discuss the evolution of the depiction of drugs in cinema, I'd like to know any thoughts you might have on this issue. Mostly because I don't want to have to do anything thinking myself, but also because I'd love to be able to express the thoughts of others (and not just myself) at SXSW.

If you're in Austin for the festival, by the way, the panel is Monday March 10, at 3:00 pm.

The comments are open. Bring it on, LCLs.

-Darren