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Even among the most rabidly followed cult films, the Coen Brothers' The Big Lebowski (1998) has achieved that rarest of status in that it has erupted out of movie theaters and DVD players and into the very lives of its worshippers.
The screwball existential tale of a bowling, White-Russian-swilling hero known as The Dude (Jeff Bridges) and his quest to avenge the stolen rug that really tied his whole living room together is not only a midnight-screening and campus-party favorite, it has inspired an annual event that draws revelers worldwide.
Louisville, Kentucky, natives Will Russell and Scott Shuffitt initially spearheaded a 2002 Lebowski Fest in their hometown and have since expanded their operation to include satellite events in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Austin. The next scheduled fest will take place in Seattle on March 8th and 9th, 2007.
In the recent past, Asian Dude enthusiasts have hit up Russell and Shuffitt for a bowling-alley bender in Tokyo. They're also scheduled to throw a Fest in Europe this fall.
On the multimedia front, the Lebowski Fest crew signed a book deal for a picture-rich volume, replete with background info on the genesis of characters (Walter Sobchak, for instance, was based on oddball screenwriter/private eye Lewis Abernathy) to the aftermath of the props (the soiled rug now hangs at La' Bowski's Restaurant in Lubbock, Texas).
On the eve of their Seattle blowout, the Lebowski Fest boys talked to MrSkin.com about their favorite movie nudity--both in and outside The Big Lebowski.
The screwball existential tale of a bowling, White-Russian-swilling hero known as The Dude (Jeff Bridges) and his quest to avenge the stolen rug that really tied his whole living room together is not only a midnight-screening and campus-party favorite, it has inspired an annual event that draws revelers worldwide.
Louisville, Kentucky, natives Will Russell and Scott Shuffitt initially spearheaded a 2002 Lebowski Fest in their hometown and have since expanded their operation to include satellite events in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Austin. The next scheduled fest will take place in Seattle on March 8th and 9th, 2007.
In the recent past, Asian Dude enthusiasts have hit up Russell and Shuffitt for a bowling-alley bender in Tokyo. They're also scheduled to throw a Fest in Europe this fall.
On the multimedia front, the Lebowski Fest crew signed a book deal for a picture-rich volume, replete with background info on the genesis of characters (Walter Sobchak, for instance, was based on oddball screenwriter/private eye Lewis Abernathy) to the aftermath of the props (the soiled rug now hangs at La' Bowski's Restaurant in Lubbock, Texas).
On the eve of their Seattle blowout, the Lebowski Fest boys talked to MrSkin.com about their favorite movie nudity--both in and outside The Big Lebowski.
How did Lebowski Fest come about?
Russell: We were actually vending at a tattoo convention.Shuffitt: It was bad. About fifteen people walked through over the weekend. We're all just bored to tears. So [another vendor] said, "This tattoo convention is over the line," or something like that. Next thing you know the folks across the hall shouted, "My buddies and I didn't die face down in the muck so you and I could enjoy this lame-ass tattoo convention!" Will and I looked at each other, wrote down about ten seconds of notes, and Lebowski Fest is what has come from it.
Do you find some towns are more Lebowski-friendly than others? Are the NYC denizens too uppity? Are the Austin-ites too hick?
Russell: All the cities have their own unique vibe, but Louisville is always the ultimate fest.Shuffitt: I would say the West Coast is more of The Dude's style. I gotta say I was a little concerned about going to Austin, seeing how it is surrounded by Texas and all, but it was a great time. I'm looking forward to another trip there soon.
Tell us about the book that's in the works.
Russell: I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski: Life, The Big Lebowski, and What Have You is due out in the fall of 2007. It's the ultimate fan book with interviews from all the actors and the people who inspired the characters for the story. [It'll have] trivia, "Dude-libs," and more.Shuffitt: The folks over at Bloomsbury are publishing it. It has a lot of ins, outs, and what have yous. Only a chapter or two are about the Fest.
It's nice to see porn star and Lebowski cast member Asia Carrera in the book. How did that come to be?
Russell: We wanted to have the entire cast of Logjammin'. Plus, Asia's a member of MENSA, not exactly a lightweight.Shuffitt: I am really just looking for clues on how to get her to come over and borrow my shower. Really, she seems like a cool person, all brainy and whatnot. We liked the idea of the interview because it shows the scope of the Coens' ability to include some obscure characters in their films. You know, like having Aimee Mann play the nine-toed woman.
In The Big Lebowski, Julianne Moore (Picture: 1 - 2) plays Valkyrie-vision and naked performance artist Maude. How does that affect the Fest's costume contests?
Russell: The Valkyries are always a sight to behold. We see a lot of post-coital Maudes. They wear bathrobes very well.Shuffitt: Yeah, Maudes are always a high point. I have seen some risqu?ics of them but no nudes . . . yet.
What's up with the Lebowski Fest documentary titled Over the Line?
Russell: Someone simply known as Chung is behind that.Shuffitt: We got to take a look at it after this year's Louisville event, and it is really funny. He has done a good job of finding some Achievers, finding out what makes them tick and why they dig the film so much.
You guys have had some pretty impressive musical acts join the Fest, such as Jon Spencer. Who can we look forward to?
Russell: We've had My Morning Jacket and They Might Be Giants play. We're working on some good acts for this year. You'll have to stay tuned.Shuffitt: As far as celebs go, no one was better than when Jeff Bridges came out to the first L.A. event and played with his band. We had to keep it on the d.l. so it was a complete surprise to all the Achievers.
What initially drew you to The Big Lebowski?
Russell: The dialogue. That's how it all got started. Quoting lines to pass the time--the story is ludicrous.Shuffitt: I can't say for sure, but for a long time it was the only thing in my VCR. I didn't have cable, so every night I watched it. It was really nice to come home after work during the gray-ass winter and see some pretty L.A. landscapes.
What nude scenes, if any, do you think inspired the nudity in the movie? Likewise, do you think Lebowski has inspired nude scenes?
Russell: I think our red-headed friend on the blanket at Jackie Treehorn's garden party inspired "girls on trampolines" from The Man Show.Shuffitt: I think the scene in Airplane! where they show how bad the plane is shaking by showing the Jell-O, then panning over to the topless lady [ed. note: It's Francesca "Kitten" Natividad] (Picture: 1)... or it could be that that scene is just burned into my brain. I will not assume crash position.
What's the best way for Achievers out there to get in touch with you guys?
Russell: LebowskiFest.com and MySpace.com/lebowskifest.Shuffitt: Details get updated all the time on there.
images all courtesy of LebowskiFest.com
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