FOLK HERO & FUNNY GUY (2016)

Summary:

Paul, a successful folk musician, invites his struggling stand-up comedian friend, Jason, to open for him on his solo tour. Paul hopes to give Jason's floundering career a much-needed boost and, perhaps more importantly, rekindle their strained friendship. As they navigate the ups and downs of life on the road, old tensions and insecurities resurface, forcing both men to confront their past and present.

The film explores the complexities of male friendship, the pursuit of artistic dreams, and the challenges of living in another's shadow, all set against a backdrop of live music and comedic performances.

Keywords: Folk Hero & Funny Guy, 2016, Wyatt Russell, Alex Karpovsky, Meredith Hagner, Comedy, Drama, Music, Friendship.

Plot:

The story centers on Paul Werdick, a celebrated folk singer who has achieved considerable success, and Jason, his childhood best friend who is struggling to make a name for himself as a stand-up comedian. Concerned for Jason's career and their drifting friendship, Paul extends an invitation for Jason to join him on tour as his opening act. Jason reluctantly accepts, seeing it as a potential turning point for his career.

As they embark on the tour, the dynamic between them quickly becomes complicated. Jason struggles to connect with Paul's folk-music-loving audience, often bombing his sets, which exacerbates his feelings of inadequacy. Old resentments and competitive streaks resurface, particularly as Jason develops feelings for Paul's sister, Bryn, who is also on the tour. The journey forces both men to confront their differing paths, their shared history, and the true meaning of their friendship, ultimately leading to a poignant exploration of ambition, jealousy, and artistic integrity.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Wyatt Russell as Jason
• Alex Karpovsky as Paul Werdick
• Meredith Hagner as Bryn
• Hannah Simone as Sarah
• Michael Ian Black as Barry

Crew:

• Director: Jeff Grace
• Writer: Jeff Grace
• Producer: Cameron Van Hoy
• Producer: Jon H. Stevens
• Producer: Jeff Grace
• Cinematography: Adrian Correia
• Editor: Michael J. Duthie

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: March 12, 2016 (SXSW) / July 1, 2016 (Limited)
• Language: English
• Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
• Running Time: 90 minutes
• Accolades: Premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival.