CATNIP: EGRESS TO OBLIVION? – A Short Film By Jason Willis

Catnip: Egress to Oblivion? (2012)
Directed by: Jason Willis
Written by: Jason Willis
Starring: Giovanni Dominice, Neil Kight, Terry Easley

CATNIP: EGRESS TO OBLIVION? (2012)
Written and directed by Jason Willis

Presented as a short information film, Sundance 2013 Film Festival nominated CATNIP: EGRESS TO OBLIVION? is one hell of a trippy, 60/70’s style film that explains facts about the usage of the highly addictive, hallucinogenic “drug”, Catnip. In the film, we see professors explaining the drug as well as interviews with the cats who are hooked on its euphoric qualities. Don’t worry, the filmmakers realise you may not understand cat lingo and have subtitled those particular interviews.

With its acid colours, mind-bending duplication, blurring and mirroring of images, CATNIP: EGRESS TO OBLIVION? is a thing of beauty and nostalgic treasure to a film fan. To compliment the entire film, we are treated to synthesised music, 60s/70s rock and the distinctive sounds of the sitar.

Whilst meant to be taken as tongue-in-cheek, though its content is fairly accurate in its depiction, CATNIP harks back to the information films shown decades ago. It’s colourful, informative and a visual delight, with it’s grainy, scracthed appearance reminscent of grindhouse flicks.

What I love most of all about CATNIP: EGRESS TO OBLIVION? is its presentation and use of vocabulary. The documentary short explains this drug and the threats it has on our moggies. Like marijuana, catnip is stated to have similar qualities and effects on the brain of a cat and such terminalogy from the 60’s, such as Groovy, is used. This tickled me something rotten as all I could think about was Michael Jeter as Dr L. Ron Bumquist in Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas giving the marijuana speech at the drugs convention, in which Raoul Duke and Dr Gonzo attend. Dr Bumquist discusses the states of a marijuana user, with “groovy” being the pinnacle state of a weed user. What follows is a video entitled “Know Your Dope Fiend!” and CATNIP: EGRESS TO OBLIVION? totally reminded me of this style of film.

With a budget of $25, entirely spent on feeding the habit of the felines with the precious catnip, director Jason Willis has proven he has style and wit. If only he could make all the educational and information films, this world would be a far better place.