Gummo is a film set in Xenia, Ohio, which had previously been struck by a devastating tornado. It follows the lives of several characters as they find destructive ways to pass the time. The film was released in 1997 and was Harmony Korine's directorial debut.
While the movie was not a box office success, it did receive attention for it's graphic content and unique style. It was filmed in some of the poorest neighborhoods in Nashville, TN. The houses were crawling with cockroaches. The crew complained about the abominable conditions and Korine was forced to buy them hazmat suits so they could do their work.
However, in order to make these same crew members angry, Korine and his cinematographer Jean-Yves Escoffier wore only flipflops and speedos in the same conditions.