FUBAR (film)

FUBAR is a 2002 mockumentary film, directed by Michael Dowse, based on the lives of two lifelong friends and head-bangers living out their lives, constantly drinking beer. FUBAR debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in the 'Park City at Midnight' category, which previously launched such films as The Blair Witch Project. Since its release, it has gained critical acclaim and a cult status in North America, but especially within Western Canada. It was both filmed and set in Alberta, particularly in and around Calgary.

FUBAR
Directed byMichael Dowse
Produced byMichael Dowse
David Lawrence
Paul Spence
Melanie Owen
Marguerite Pigott
Mark Slone
Written byMichael Dowse
David Lawrence
Paul Spence
StarringDavid Lawrence
Paul Spence
Gordon Skilling
Music byEnglish Teeth[1]
Paul J. Spence
CinematographyMichael Dowse
Distributed byOdeon Films
Release date
  • May 24, 2002 (2002-05-24)
Running time
76 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish
Budget$10,000 CAD[2]

It was filmed entirely with digital cinematography, on a shoestring budget that required many involved with the project to max out their credit cards in order to complete the movie (according to an interview on their official website). Many of the people featured in the movie (including the fist-fighters) were bystanders who thought that the filmmakers were shooting a documentary on the common man.

FUBAR features characters partly based on a comedy routine performed by David Lawrence and Paul Spence that they developed based on the head-banger subculture. Lawrence, Spence, and Dr. S.C. Lim also appear in Dowse's It's All Gone Pete Tong. (Dr. Lim plays himself in FUBAR as Dean's doctor. Lim actually is Dowse's personal physician in real life.) The characters of Terry and Dean were later seen again, featured in the Michael Dowse-directed music video "The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism" by The New Pornographers.

Plot

This is the story of two lifelong friends, Terry Cahill (David Lawrence) and Dean Murdoch (Paul Spence), who have grown up together: Shotgunning their first beers, forming their first garage band, and growing the great Canadian mullet known as "Hockey Hair". The lives of these Alberta everymen are brought to the big screen by documentarian Farrel Mitchner (Gordon Skilling), a young director who decides to take a look at Terry and Dean through a lens, exploring the depths of friendship, the fragility of life, growing up gracefully, and the art and science of drinking beer "like a man".

Their lives are complicated by a snubbing by their "party leader" Troy, better known as Tron (Andrew Sparacino). When Farrel discovers that Dean is hiding a serious case of testicular cancer, the wheels are set in motion for Dean to seek treatment from Dr. S.C. Lim (Dr. S.C. Lim). With Dean's last weekend before surgery approaching, Terry decides to take Dean, Farrel and the film crew camping. Things take an unexpected turn by the third day, and Terry and Dean must cope with further tragedy.[3]

Cast
  • Gordon Skilling as Farrel Mitchner
  • Tracey Lawrence as Trixie Anderson
  • Sage Lawrence as Chastity Murdoch
  • Dr. S.C. Lim as Dr. S.C. Lim
  • Jim Lawrence as Ron Miller
  • Andrew Sparacino as Troy (Tron) McRae
  • Laurie D'Amour as Laurie D'Amour
  • Cameron Swirka as Fist Fighter #1
  • Peter N. Cipriano as Fist Fighter #2

Soundtrack
Main article: Fubar: The Album

A soundtrack album, FUBAR: The Album, was released in 2003.[4]

Sequel
Main article: FUBAR 2

Brandon Ryan reported in April 2009 that funding had been secured for a sequel film.[5] FUBAR 2 was filmed in Edmonton, Alberta.[6] Director Michael Dowse reported that the plot involves Terry and Dean moving to Fort McMurray, Alberta. Once again the dialogue is heavily improvised, and the budget is "a lot more" than the first film.[7] The sequel premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 9, and was released throughout Canada on October 1.

Television series
Main article: Fubar (TV series)

On February 10, 2017 Rogers Media and VICE Studios Canada announced an eight-episode television series based on the films to air on Viceland later that year. The show will see Lawrence and Spencer reprise their roles with Dowse returning to direct.[8]

Mobile Game

On January 8, 2020, Kano Applications Inc. announced the worldwide launch of new mobile game, Fubar: Just Give'r, developed in collaboration with East Side Games and BT Productions.[9] This narrative clicker idle game now available on iOS and Android is said to pick up where the movies left off with all new storylines and exciting weekly events.[10] Players will join the iconic FUBAR (film) duo, Terry and Deaner, and help them as they embark on a quest to beat the World Record for Longest Party Streak.[11]

Reception

FUBAR received generally mixed reviews, with a 58% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes based on a dozen reviews.[12]

References
  1. Maimann, Kevin (May 7, 2010). "Gruesome tunesome", Edmonton Sun
  2. Stagg, Carly (April 20, 2017). "Calgary cult classic Fubar still givin' 'er 15 years after release". CBC News. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  3. Slone, M. & Michael Ladano: Story Synopsis (first paragraph) written by Mark Slone. Story Synopsis (second paragraph) written by Michael A. Ladano
  4. Fubar: The Album an AllMusic Review by Stewart Mason
  5. Barney's Version, Fubar sequel get Cancon movie funding
  6. 'Fubar' sequel ready to rock
  7. 'Fubar' director Michael Dowse dives into TV with black comedy, 'The Foundation' Archived 2014-05-05 at the Wayback Machine
  8. David, Greg (February 10, 2017). "Vice Studio Canada and Rogers Media announce start of production on FUBAR". TV,eh?. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  9. "FUBAR: Just Give'r Now Available Worldwide on iOS and Android!". January 8, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  10. "Victoria gaming studio helps bring FUBAR back to life with new mobile game". Oak Bay News. January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  11. "Victoria studio releases new mobile game". Times Colonist. January 10, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  12. "FUBAR on Rotten Tomatoes". Retrieved October 24, 2019.
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