Going Furthur

After 50 years, a slightly newer bus, a cast of characters that're (mostly) different, but a vibe that is distinctly the same, the bus came by and I got on! What started 50 years ago with Neil at the wheel, and many thought was a *very* colorful tidbit in history, is actually a movement that is stronger, brighter, and bigger than ever. When Zane Kesey and his band of Merry Pranksters set out on their 50th anniversary tour, hippies old and young flocked to see, feel, experience something that was beautiful and fleeting, yet permanently etched in the here and now. At festivals, concerts, and cultural happenings across the country, thousands of us second generation hippies had a chance to experience where it all began. Thanks for this amazing documentation of 50 years of magic!

The task; Bring fifty-year-old legends to life, reincarnate tales that formed our lives and our culture. Then bring it to the present; with two and a half months, 15,000 miles and countless unique and interesting personal encounters. All while describing what was indescribable, defining that which had no definition and bringing forth emotions only those who were there could have had, all in one movie. Given the pace today, do it all in less time than the four hour Woodstock documentary keeping that documentary as the gold standard. That is the challenge that Lotus Eaters took on the day I met them, the first day of the epic fifty-year anniversary Furthur voyage. I am happy to say they exceeded my already very high expectations, they nailed it! The story starts at the beginning, the genesis of our culture. The cosmic gathering of characters that rose out of the primal ooze to take the first psychedelic flowered powered steps to the future.

For those of us who know the story, like a minister knows the story of Adam and Eve, it is a trip back to heavenly times. For those younger or not familiar with the history, those with no idea why they go to festivals, wear Tie Dye or drive a VW bus, the documentary reads like Hippy 101. This story has to be told from the beginning and they do. The cast of hippy icons is complete; from Ken Keesey to the original Merry Pranksters to Wavy Gravy. Each one an apostle ladling us chalices of wisdom from the eternal psychedelic fountain.

Flash forward fifty years and the story flows unbroken. The players are new Merry Pranksters and the bus rebuilt but the bus is still "the bus". As in days of old, "the bus came by and I got on and that is where it all began". The movie covers the new Pranksters as they come and go, an intrinsically unique and bizarre group crossing all ages and walks of life. The movie captures this array of idiosyncratic souls completely. Watching it, I was back on the bus.

For the young, this movie is not a beginning and an end, it is a beginning and a beginning. Take it in, learn, free yourself and go on your own Furthur ride.

For us "old hippies" the movie will cast you back in time. Going Furthur is a portal to happy days when life was uncomplicated and we thrived on raw idealism and unbridled adventure. Somewhere in the fields of Hula Hoop twirling scantily clad glittered festival goers you will see your fist hippy love, the one whose memory gives your heart a glow to this day. That alone is worth the price of admission. More significantly it will show you all was not in vain, the spirit lives on in the young. Watching this movie will inspire you to go forth and connect with the young, dance with them, rap with them, even learn to Hula Hoop with them again. So watch Going Furthur, let it lift your heart and drink from the fountain! Capt. Brian Calvert

Going Further is not only a wonderful tribute to a long-ago time. It is an adventure story replete with modern-day troubadours who have honoured the past and excited the present.

History was not going to forget the cultural impact of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters but the directors of Going Furthur, not to mention all of the modern-day pranksters and especially Zane Kesey, have assured us all that we are not necessarily doomed to repeat the past, particularly if we do it with love, colour, music and respect.

Well done, Colby, Lindsay and Matt and all of the joyous participants.

It is always a delight to catch a glimpse of Wavy Gravy.

Going Furthur deserves a large audience.

The story of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters together with their Bus 'Furthur' may have been immortalized in book and film form before, but what 'Going Furthur' does is take a fresh look at their wonderful fun filled adventure across America 50 years on..and brings it back to life with new seekers..some young, some older...all of them taking a brave leap of faith, to climb onto the new 'Furthur' captained by Zane Kesey. One of the wonderful things about the Bus is.. .on the Bus all barriers melt away. It doesn't matter how old you are, what sex you are, where you come from, what job you do, we're all one!!..on the Bus. Its a lovely movie, beautifully filmed, and filled with wisdom. The message is clear...Be you!...Be free!...Be creative!!...love life!...laugh and be happy!!!

I saw the documentary Going Further recently in San Francisco. The history and the legacy from the Merry Pranksters bus with Ken Kesey and cohorts is well kept and displayed in this film. The new bus driven by Zane Kesey, the son of Ken Kesey who retraced this historic trip across the country. The trip was presented in such a way, that people could sign up and reserve their space for the trip. There is one big difference, no drugs were allowed. It has a brand new generation of riders, some folks I know personally. I was particularly impressed with the directing and editing of this film. It was done in such a way as to make the viewer feel like they were on the bus. The music that was picked for the film was superb and perfect for the story. I recommend this film, not only for the people that remember from the day, but for all the younger people of this generation.