In Smog and Thunder: The Great War of the Californias [DVD]

Hilarious…A dead-on send-up of historical documentary a la Ken Burns.—San Jose Mercury News

This devastatingly funny satire based on Sandow Birk California Civil War paintings makes serious fun of traditional war documentaries, while taking aim at Americas pop culture society. In telling the saga of a fictitious Civil War between Los Angeles and San Francisco (Smogtown vs. Fogtown), the film lampoons the worldwide clash between Elitist New Age Bohemians and the Sitcom-Mongering Hordes of Hollywood.

California was teetering on the edge of doom. Animosity between Los Angeles and San Francisco had grown out of control. War was looming in the hearts of men and women from Petaluma to Pacoima. Then, in early May, General Juan Gomez de los Angeles led his Southern troops in a surprise attack against the Bay Area. Once the Battle of San Francisco began, there was no turning back . . .

In Smog and Thunder was a hit at the highly regarded Slamdance Film Festival in 2003 and screened at over twenty film festivals worldwide.

DVD extras include, alternative takes and outtakes, movie trailers, TV interviews with the filmmakers, Sandow Birks original museum audio tour, a gallery of the battle paintings and propaganda posters.

Produced and directed by Sean Meredith. Narrated by Paul Zaloom. Written by Sandow Birk and Paul Zaloom. Artwork by Sandow Birk. Executive Producer Tom Patchett.

DVD, 2004
Total Run Time of All Material Approx. 98 minutes

Official Website