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by Kevin Epps and James Wade, it’s produced by Phil Jackson and Kevin Epps.
by Robbie Jackson
April 20 is upon us, and in the Bay Area, it’s more than just a holiday. It’s a way of life. So on 4/20, the actual day, there will be so many ways to celebrate. A stoners’ paradise. Some will be outside at a variety of events safely enjoying their sativa dominant strains feeling more creative than ever.
Others (aka me) will be voluntarily stuck on the couch door dashing local cuisine, enjoying their indica dominant strains in the best they know how. And to that homebody couch potato
this one’s for you, I have the perfect film to occupy your brain while you sink into
the couch!
“Hippie Hill” is a “half baked” like film that follows Big Chimney as he attempts to do some risky business with a one-of-a-kind neighborhood gangster named Flako Amsterdam. I think the funniest character in the film by far was Flako Amsterdam. From the business translation subtitles to him humming Anita Baker with the shotgun, he was hilarious and shined in every scene he was in.
He managed to get his hands on these rare golden weed seeds given to him by an old hippie. On a mission to deliver them from Humboldt to Hippie Hill festival in Golden Gate Park, he loses them! I won’t give away too many spoilers but just know it doesn’t go well for Big Chimney and now his life is on the line as he desperately tries to fix his most certainly avoidable mistake.
From the crazy live drone shoots to the hilarious plot, “Hippie Hill” is a stoner-hippie comedy classic. I had to get the inside scoop from the director, Kevin Epps. You can expect to see his next film, a documentary on Third Baptist Church, coming soon. But until then, here is a quick Q&A with San Francisco native Director Kevin Epps to hold you over.
Robbie: I like to work from the past to the present to the future. So, to get started, please tell me what ancestor from your tribe (family) are you most alike?
Kevin: My grandmother, Carrie Rothschild, RIP. I am her firstborn grandchild,
born on her birthday and a lefty like her too.
Robbie: I love that. Let’s talk about the process. Briefly describe how you turn
ideas into films.
Kevin: There are so many ideas that come and go, but some stick with you.
Inspiration takes the idea further. “Hippie Hill” was a passionate film on the
subject of cannabis and the annual popular 420 cannabis cultural event.
Robbie: What part of this filmmaking process came easiest to you? What part of
this film making process did you find most difficult?
Kevin: The story and preparing to capture the 420 event – it’s so lively, it was easy to
get ready, to edit and put the story together in a hilarious and comedic way.
This is a comedy film, and I’m known for producing more heavy, serious, social
commentary projects. This was fun though, working with all of the talented
people who contributed.
Robbie: I feel that!! It was definitely a light, fun film. I recommend watching it
stoned. It hits different! So, this soundtrack to this film understood the
assignment. Some bangers for sure! How did you choose the sounds that played
throughout the film?
Kevin: We worked with so many indie musicians, producers from San Francisco,
Oakland, LA, Mendocino, looking for the “Hippie Hill” vibe.
Robbie: Yes! I feel like the soundtrack really fits the film! It felt very Bay Area. OK, so please tell me that the Rolaids in the tacos were not inspired by a true story. Talk about what inspired funny running jokes like that included in the film.
Kevin: The Rolaids was inspired by a true story, lol! My friend didn’t like the taste of Rolaids, so he added it to his tacos.
Robbie: Before I let you go, I have to tell you that drone footage in “Hippie Hill” of the Bay Area’s views was so dope! Were parts of this film captured live on Hippie Hill during 4/20? What was that like?
Kevin: The drone footage was definitely captured live as the epic 420 happened.
It was an important event so it was essential for the story. It was amazing, so
many people enjoying the signature moment
Robbie Jackson is a student of the San Francisco Bay View’s Community Journalism Class, which is funded by the California State Library.
