FUBAR is a 2002 mockumentary film, directed by Michael Dowse as well as co-written and produced by David Lawrence and Paul Spence, based on the lives of two lifelong friends and head-bangers living out their lives, constantly drinking beer. FUBAR debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in the 'Park City at Midnight' category, which previously launched such films as The Blair Witch Project. Since its release, it has gained critical acclaim and a cult status in North America, but especially within Western Canada. It was both filmed and set in Alberta, particularly in and around Calgary. In December of 1999, the three filmmakers created a five page outline intending to improvise all their dialogue. It was filmed entirely on a CANON XL 1 camera using digital cinematography, on a shoestring budget that required David Lawrence to max out his credit cards. His father, Jim Lawrence, took out a loan against his home in order to complete the movie. The cast was made up of mostly David Lawrence's friends and family. Some of the people featured in the movie were bystanders who thought that the filmmakers were shooting a documentary on the common man. FUBAR features the characters of Dean Murdoch and Terry Cahill. David Lawrence created his original character of Terry Cahill at Loose Moose Theatre in Calgary based on the head-banger subculture. He later recruited his neighbourhood friend Paul Spence to play Dean, developing the character through a stage play at Loose Moose; 'Terry and his Buddy Dean.' Lawrence, Spence, and Dr. S.C. Lim also appear in Dowse's It's All Gone Pete Tong.
Plot
This is the story of two lifelong friends, Terry and Dean, who have grown up together: Shotgunning their first beers, forming their first garage band, and growing the great Canadian mullet known as "Hockey Hair". The lives of these Alberta everymen are brought to the big screen by documentarian Farrel Mitchner, a young director who decides to take a look at Terry and Dean through a lens, exploring the depths of friendship, the fragility of life, growing up gracefully, and the art and science of drinking beer "like a man". Their lives are complicated by a snubbing by their "party leader" Troy, better known as Tron. When Farrel discovers that Dean is hiding a serious case of testicular cancer, the wheels are set in motion for Dean to seek treatment from Dr. S.C. Lim. With Dean's last weekend before surgery approaching, Terry decides to take Dean, Farrel and the film crew camping. Things take an unexpected turn by the third day, and Terry and Dean must cope with further tragedy.
Cast
Soundtrack
A soundtrack album, FUBAR: The Album, was released in 2003.
Sequel
Brandon Ryan reported in April 2009 that funding had been secured for a sequel film. FUBAR 2 was filmed in Edmonton, Alberta. Director Michael Dowse reported that the plot involves Terry and Dean moving to Fort McMurray, Alberta. Once again the dialogue is heavily improvised, and the budget is "a lot more" than the first film. The sequel premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, and was released throughout Canada on October 1.
On January 8, 2020, Kano Applications Inc. announced the worldwide launch of new mobile game, Fubar: Just Give'r, developed in collaboration with East Side Games and BT Productions. This narrative clicker idle game now available on iOS and Android is said to pick up where the movies left off with all new storylines and exciting weekly events. Players will join the iconic FUBAR duo, Terry and Deaner, and help them as they embark on a quest to beat the World Record for Longest Party Streak.
Reception
FUBAR initially received generally mixed reviews, with a 58% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes based on a dozen reviews.
