Episode 12: Director Harmony Korine Talks the Power of Pot

The Hash

Although the iconic and irreverent director Harmony Korine - the creative force behind "Spring Breakers," "Kids," "Gummo" and more - has long included pot in his films, it’s taken him over two decades to make a straight-up toner comedy. Last week saw the release of "The Beach Bum," starring Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Zac Efron and Jonah Hill. The film follows the wild shenanigans of Moon Dog, a crass and hedonistic stoner poet who, because of some unforeseen circumstances, is forced to either write and publish a book of his work, or go broke (or worse). Yet there’s more to Moon Dog than meets the eye, and his love of cannabis provides a key to understanding his deeper character. We caught up with Korine ahead of the film’s premiere to chat about his own relationship with cannabis, what Moon Dog has to teach America in 2019, the logistical challenges of filming with Snoop Dogg and more.