Kevin Booth

Kevin Booth
Born (1961-10-02) October 2, 1961
Connecticut, U.S.
Alma mater University of Texas
Occupation Producer, film director, writer and musician
Known for Documentaries, collaboration with Bill Hicks
Spouse(s) Trae Painter Booth

Kevin Booth (born October 2, 1961) is an American film director, producer, lecturer and musician. He was known for his documentary film series American Drug War. Booth worked with comedian Bill Hicks, until the time of his death on February 26, 1994 and posthumously produced Hicks' records Rant in E Minor and Arizona Bay.

Booth also explored controversial subjects such as the Waco siege and the New World Order conspiracy theory. Booth lectures at universities while continuing to make more films threaded through stories surrounding American drug policy.

Early life

Booth was born in Connecticut on October 2, 1961.[1] He was the son of George Booth. His brother Curt played in several rock bands and influenced his musical interests. Curt was diagnosed as schizophrenic.[2] Booth met Bill Hicks and Dwight Slade at Stratford High School in Houston, Texas. The trio formed Stress, an early rock band. Booth played the bass and Hicks the lead guitar and lead vocals.[3][4] He attended the University of Texas in Austin.[5]

Career

Music

Booth started the rock band Year Zero, with Brent Ballard, Robert Reilly, Patrick Allen Brown and Ron Fair.[6] Year Zero signed a major contract with Chrysalis Records,[7] and in 1987 released an album including the single Hourglass.[6][8] When Year Zero broke up, Booth continued working with drummer Pat Brown and formed Marble Head Johnson.[7] Booth wrote and performed with Hicks on Arizona Bay and Marble Head Johnson.[3]

Film and video production

In 1982, while living in Austin, Booth started Absolute Creative Entertainment production company with Hicks,[9] which became Sacred Cow Productions.[1]

In 1989,[1] Booth was a producer at the local public access station in Austin called ACTV. While there, he taped Bill Hick's stand-up comedy routine at the Laff Stop, called Sane Man.[10] Booth produced most of Hick's videos, full-length comedy concerts, and CDs,[3] including Relentless.[8] After Hicks' death from pancreatic cancer in 1994, Booth produced Rant in E Minor.[3] It was voted by SPIN magazine as the 11th greatest comedy album of all time.[3][11] In May 2005, Booth traveled to Britain to promote his first book Bill Hicks – Agent of Evolution[3][12] about his professional life and seventeen-year friendship with Bill Hicks; It was co-written by Michael Bertin.[3][12] He also appeared in the 2009 documentary about his friends life entitled American: The Bill Hicks Story.[13]

In 2012, Booth was collaborated with several companies providing him the financial means to produce this documentary about the medicinal benefits of marijuana.[3] [14]He also completed works about political issues, such as the Waco siege[15] and the New World Order conspiracy theory.[16]

Martial Law 9/11

Martial Law 9/11: Rise of The Police State (2005) was co-produced by Booth with Alex Jones, who directed the documentary. It explores the changes in the United States since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.[3][17]

American Drug War: The Last White Hope

Booth directed American Drug War: The Last White Hope (2007) to examine governmental polices against drugs since Richard Nixon declared a "war on drugs" in 1971. It examines the government's prosecution of users, incarceration of non-violent drug offenders, focus on marijuana (a "gateway" drug), and lack of focus on large corporations that launder drug money.[18][19][20] The documentary explores the involvement of the CIA and Contras cocaine trafficking in the US, including the experiences of one of the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) "chief beneficiaries", "Freeway" Rick Ross. Ross declared the war on drugs as the "last white hope".[19][20] Appearing in the documentary are Tommy Chong, of Cheech and Chong; General Barry McCaffrey, a previous drug czar; and people involved in drug use, sales or convictions of drug users or traffickers. Booth provides insight about addiction within his family.[21]

It was shown on Showtime from 2008 to 2010 and won several awards for best feature documentary at film festivals in the United States.[3] For instance, in 2007, the film won Artivist Film Festival's Best Feature, International Human Rights Award.[22] The documentary has also been shown in other countries, like South Africa, Canada and Australia.[3]

American Drug War 2: Cannabis Destiny

American Drug War 2: Cannabis Destiny was released theatrically in 16 cities across the nation beginning on June 6, 2013.[23] The second installment to American Drug War starts at the 2012 election that legalized recreational use in two states and the film follows the traumatic story of a young boy named Cash Hyde who is repeatedly denied cannabis oil, the only medicine that appears to shrink his brain tumor. ADW2 also documents the saga of filmmaker Booth and his wife becoming foster parents and encountering the over prevalent use of pharmaceuticals on foster kids. These stories and much more underline the film’s theme of children being the ultimate victims of American drug policy. [24] The film talks about the United States Department of Health and Human Services 2003 patent on cannabinoids.[25] It also explores the prohibition of "ancient drugs" on children through the story of an infant named Cash Hyde who was diagnosed with brain cancer.[26] The film shares findings of Dr. Donald Abrams, Head of Oncology at San Francisco General Hospital, and a Canadian man named Rick Simpson who reportedly devised a new type of cannabis oil used to treat serious illnesses. In the film Booth and wife Trae become foster parents and explore the issue of foster children being over-medicated. Booth and two New York times journalists filmed in Juarez, Mexico to show how young boys are being recruited by drug cartels.[27][28] It is available through a "world-wide video-on-demand" system for theaters provided by Gravitas Ventures' start up, TUGG.com,[29] and Warner Brothers.[25]

Lecture tours

Booth has shown clips of "How Weed Won the West"[30] and later his documentary "American Drug War: The Last White Hope" and lectured at universities[3] and other organizations about American drug policy and legalization of marijuana.[31] For instance the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) of Tufts University brought Booth onto the campus in December 2012 to screen the film and talk with university students.[32] In February 2012, the University of New Hampshire's NORML / SSDP group held an event for Booth.[33]

Personal life

Booth is married to Trae Painter Booth, who was an associate producer, production accountant and make-up artist on American Drug War 2: Cannabis Destiny. She also appeared in the documentary.[34]

Works

Music

Filmography

Booth's film and video works include:[1]

YearFilmTypePosition(s)
2013American Drug War 2: Cannabis Destinydocumentarywriter, director, producer, editor
2010How Weed Won the Westdocumentarydirector, producer
2007American Drug War: The Last White Hopedocumentarydirector, executive producer, editor
2005Martial Law 9/11: Rise of the Police Statedocumentaryco-producer, editor
2004American DictatorsTV documentarydirector, executive producer, producer
2002Doug Stanhope: Word of Mouthvideodirector, producer, editor
2001Joe Rogan: Live from the Belly of the Beastvideodirector, producer, editor
2000The Best of Alex Jonesvideo documentaryeditor
1996Dwight Slade: Willy's Footstepsvideodirector, editor
1993On the Seventh Day in Wacovideo documentarydirector, editor
1993Counts of the NetherworldTV moviedirector, producer
1993Sacred Cow Halloween Specialvideoeditor
1993Sea Manvideo documentary shortdirector, editor
1991Ninja Bachelor Partyshortdirector, producer
1989Bill Hicks: Sane Manvideo documentarydirector, executive producer, producer, editor

Booth has also been an actor, camera operator, cinematographer and has appeared as himself in documentaries, videos and on television.[1]

See also

Publications

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kevin Booth". IMDb. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  2. ↑ Kevin Booth; Michael Bertin (June 24, 2010). Bill Hicks: Agent of Evolution. HarperCollins Publishers. pp. v, 29, 49, 119. ISBN 978-0-00-737503-5.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Cannabis Science Chooses Filmmaker Kevin Booth for Specialty Documentary". Wireless News (accessed via HighBeam Research). Close-Up Media, Inc. March 22, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  4. ↑ Cynthia True (March 1, 2002). American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story. HarperCollins. pp. 21–24, 26–27, 33. ISBN 978-0-380-80377-4. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  5. ↑ Cynthia True (March 1, 2002). American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story. HarperCollins. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-380-80377-4. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 "Year Zero". WorldCat. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  7. 1 2 Cynthia True (March 1, 2002). American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story. HarperCollins. p. 160. ISBN 978-0-380-80377-4. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Kevin Booth". Discogs. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  9. ↑ Cynthia True (March 1, 2002). American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story. HarperCollins. pp. 61–62. ISBN 978-0-380-80377-4. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  10. ↑ Cynthia True (March 1, 2002). American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story. HarperCollins. p. 146. ISBN 978-0-380-80377-4. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  11. ↑ "SPIN's 40 Greatest Comedy Albums of All Time | SPIN | Best of SPIN | All Time". SPIN. November 1, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  12. 1 2 "Bill Hicks : Kevin Booth and Michael Bertin". HarperCollins. April 3, 2006. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  13. ↑ "American: The Bill Hicks Story". IMDb. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  14. ↑ http://americandrugwar2.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/american_drug_war_2_press_kit.pdf
  15. ↑ "On the Seventh day in Waco". IMDb. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Martial Law 9/11: Rise of the Police State". IMDb. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  17. ↑ Bernadette Hlubik Schell (2007). The Internet And Society: A Reference Handbook. ABC-CLIO. p. 279. ISBN 978-1-59884-031-5. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  18. ↑ Attallah Ali (January 2013). The Black Papers: An Exploration of the Dilemma Within the African-american Community. AuthorHouse. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-4685-9489-8. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  19. 1 2 Shirley Halperin; Steve Bloom (February 4, 2011). Reefer Movie Madness: The Ultimate Stoner Film Guide. Abrams. p. 942. ISBN 978-1-61312-016-3. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  20. 1 2 William B. Russell (2009). Teaching Social Issues with Film (Hc). IAP. pp. 75–76. ISBN 978-1-60752-117-4. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  21. ↑ "American drug war: the last white hope review (accessed via HighBeam research)". Curve. Outspoken Enterprises. September 1, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  22. ↑ Market Wire (November 2007). 4th Annual Artivist Film Festival and Artivist Awards Announce the Winning Films of this Year's Festival. Press release.
  23. ↑ https://www.tugg.com/titles/american-drug-war-2
  24. ↑ http://americandrugwar2.com/american-drug-war-2-synoposis/
  25. 1 2 "US: Thursday, June 6, 7:30 PM most venues, thought-provoking sequel to American Drug War premieres limited showings in theaters coast to coast". Web Wire. June 4, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  26. ↑ Kevin Booth. "American Drug War 2: Cannibis Destiny". IMDb. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  27. ↑ Mary Ought Six (June 5, 2013). "American Drug War 2". High Times. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Demo Reel ( Rediscovering Cannabis Oil. Clip No. 3 from "AMERICAN DRUG WAR 2")". IMDb. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  29. ↑ "The X-Change Corporation Announces the Sacred Cow Production presentation of 'AMERICAN DRUG WAR 2: Cannabis Destiny,' a film by Kevin Booth". Pediatrics Week (accessed via HighBeam Research). NewsRX. May 4, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  30. ↑ Anna Davis (November 15, 2011). "Kevin Booth Discusses the Legalization of Marijuana". The Pointe News – St. Mary's College of Maryland. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Should Marijuana be Legalized? Promoting Education NOT Incarceration, Kevin Booth". Contemporary Issues Agency. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  32. ↑ James Pouliot (November 27, 2013). "SSDP to host premiere of drug war documentary". Tufts Daily. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  33. ↑ "UNH NORML/SSDP hosts Drug War Documentary Filmmaker Kevin Booth!". Wildcat Link – University of New Hampshire. February 21, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Trae Painter Booth". IMDb. Retrieved June 17, 2013.

External links

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