Weed

Innocent of narration and nearly so of direction, this loopy, goofy video takes viewers on a tour of the eighth annual Cannabis Cup and Hemp Expo in Amsterdam. The madcap array of conventioneers supply a colorful human backdrop as the video more or less documents the Cup competition. Judges (and others) are seen sampling the competing products, and this is one of those places where the cinema verité aspects of the production go a little awry. Sad to say, pot samplers make for just about as intriguing ruminators as beer drinkers: much of their conversation is decidedly nonlinear. Still, the good-humored air of the video does render a fine portrait of Amsterdam, especially the hash coffeeshops, and it nicely captures the ambiance of large, stoned gatherings, but it may not be everybody's cup of electric tea. In other words, while it's easy to imagine this vid as a big hit at a party, as fare for the non-imbiber it's probably useless. Quite optional. Aud: C, P. (M. Tribby)