The Big Lebowski came out more than two decades ago, as a movie with a crazy story. Since that time, it has been turned into a religious experience.
If you’re familiar with the movie, then you know about ‘the dude’ and some of the sayings that come from the movie. This 1998 cult classic brought some amazing actors together, including Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, and Steve Buscemi. The movie took on a life of its own, with iconic quotes, a crazy wardrobe, and a laid-back attitude that many people can appreciate.
A religious experience is part of the fun
Regardless of your religious beliefs, it’s pretty easy to enjoy the lighthearted nature of Dudeism, which is the made-up religion based on the movie. This faith was founded in 2005 and was dubbed “The Church of the Latter-Day Dude,” which was much more of a way to put a religious bend on it than anything else. It was founded by Oliver Benjamin, a former journalist, and it’s based on the lifestyle philosophy found in the movie, which is “to form a more perfect groovin,’ establish just taking it easy, and promote inner tranquility,” as the creator told People magazine. The fun of this religion grew into a phenomenon that has more than 450,000 ordained priests around the world. If you never thought religion could be fun, you haven’t tried Dudeism.
Culturally significant
The Library of Congress’s National Film Registry put ‘The Big Lebowski’ into the list of “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” films in 2014. This means the movie is preserved for future generations through this registry. It might seem strange when you watch the film that it would have such a following and honor, but it does.
Lebowski Fest
Can you imagine a festival based on a movie featuring a man who wears a bathrobe wherever he goes? An annual festival, based on the movie, began in 2002. That means the movie had only been out for four years when the first Lebowski Fest arose in Louisville, Kentucky. It has expanded to other cities, including New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, and London. That makes this movie and its festivals an international affair.
The actors attend these festivals
It’s probably a bit surreal for the actors from The Big Lebowski to realize they created such a cultural phenomenon. They also seem to be more than happy to get involved and be part of the festival spirit from the movie. During many festivals, much like comic-cons, attendees dress up in their favorite characters’ clothes, which means a lot of people walking around wearing ratty bathrobes. Jeff Bridges first attended a festival in Los Angeles in 2005, and several other actors from the movie appeared at the New York festival in 2011.
Some scientists add Lebowski to their discoveries
This incredibly iconic movie finds its way into many corners of the world. The expected cult-like following is one thing, but another is seeing it in science. Two species of African spiers have been named using words and names from the movie. One is called Anelosimus biglebowski while the other is called Anelosimus dude. They were both given official classifications. There’s also a plant called Lebowskia grandifolia, which is a 270-million-year-old plant fossil.
A shop in New York City
Some movies inspire action figures and paraphernalia, but many have more characters than The Big Lebowski. Still, This movie inspired a bookstore owner in New York City to change his store into “The Little Lebowski” which is a boutique store in Greenwich Village. This has become the one-stop shop of all things Lebowski. The store began selling movie items in 2010 and eventually closed its doors in 2015, but during that run, fans from all over the world visited the store.
Charity with a twist
The Church of The Latter Day Dude priests created a cool charity. This charity is called The Little Lebowski Urban Achievers Fund, which compels donors to pose a Lebowski figurine in front of exotic backdrops, which makes it appear that you’re taking “The Dude” on adventures. The fund’s website has several products and proceeds go to help “those without the necessary means for the necessary means,” and it has helped support those who needed a little help to get going in life.
Here we are, more than 25 years after The Big Lebowski aired, and this culturally significant movie continues to have a positive impact on the world. Have you watched the movie? Would you like to attend a Lebowski Fest? Will you embrace the philosophy of The Dude?
