Humboldt County – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

MOVIE OF THE WEEK November 19, 2021: LADY BUDS

November 13, 2021January 17, 2022 Jennifer Merin betsy bozdech, Cate Marquis, Chris J. Russo, documentary, Humboldt County, jennifer merin, Lady Buds, leslie combemale, loren king, marijuana, Marilyn Ferdinand., motw, Movie of the Week, nell minow, Pam Grady, sandie angulo chen, susan wloszczyna

By turns idealistic and realistic, hopeful and frustrating, Chris J. Russo’s documentary Lady Buds is an engaging look at the budding (pun intended) legal marijuana business and a few of the determined, persevering, independent women who see opportunities for themselves and their friends/family members amid the cannabis plants’ verdant green leaves. As it tells their stories, it explores the impact that legalization has had on small businesses as large corporations swoop in on a new market.

Reviews

LADY BUDS – Review by Jennifer Merin

November 9, 2021November 13, 2021 Jennifer Merin Chris J. Russo, Cinema Citizen, documentary, Humboldt County, Lady Buds, marijuana, motw, Movie of the Week

Chris J. Russo’s engaging and informative first feature documentary, Lady Buds, is an enlightening tell all about the troubles currently impacting the lives and careers of women who are working in the weed trade in Northern California. The film chronicles the struggles of six independent female cannabis growers and distributors who were once worried about facing criminal charges for their chosen careers, but are now fighting to hold their ground against Big Agro companies that are — with the complicity of local authorities — moving in to take control of the burgeoning medical and recreational market for marijuana.

Reviews

LADY BUDS – Review by Susan Wloszczyna

November 9, 2021November 13, 2021 Susan Wloszczyna Chris J. Russo, documentary, Humboldt County, Lady Buds, marijuana, motw, Movie of the Week

I was never a person who enjoyed smoking pot. First, it made me dizzy. Second, it gave me the munchies. Third, it made me fall asleep. But after watching the new documentary Lady Buds, I have a renewed appreciation for what cannabis can do for those who suffer from pain (full disclosure: I take CBD gummies daily for my own aches these days) and also for longtime farmers who benefited financially by harvesting crops over the years in Northern California despite illegalities.

Reviews

FREELAND – Review by Maitland McDonagh

September 9, 2021September 10, 2021 Maitland McDonagh cannabis, Freeland, Humboldt County, Kate McLean, Krisha Fairchild, Mario Furloni

Co-writer/directors Mario Furloni and Kate McLean’s small, focused drama about changing times and the lives they roll over with chilling indifference, Freeland is anchored by Krishna Fairchild’s beautifully nuanced performance as Davi, a longtime pot farmer who’s rolled with the changing times for so long that she’s rocked to her core when they finally collide headlong with her laid-back nature.