William S. Burroughs: A Man Within

United States

2010

87 Min

Color, Black and White

1.78:1

English

Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
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PROD Carmine Cervi, Ilko Davidov, Yony Leyser

CAST William S. Burroughs, Peter Weller, David Cronenberg, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Gus Van Sant, Andy Warhol, John Waters, Laurie Anderson, Thurston Moore, Genesis P-Orridge, Lee Ranaldo

SOUND Andy Wenrich, Riley Gravatt

Oldenburg, São Paulo (International Perspective), London (World Cinema), Göteborg (Dokumentärt), !F Istanbul (Fix the World), BAFICI (Panorama: Art and Apart), Queer Lisboa (Queer Art)

Synopsis

Featuring never-before-seen archival footage of Burroughs, as well as exclusive interviews with colleagues and confidants including John Waters, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Gus Van Sant, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Sonic Youth, Laurie Anderson, Amiri Baraka, Jello Biafra, and David Cronenberg, _ William S. Burroughs: A Man Within_ is a probing, yet loving look at the man whose works at once savaged conservative ideals, spawned countercultural movements, and reconfigured 20th century culture. The film is narrated by Peter Weller, with a soundtrack by Patti Smith and Sonic Youth.

Burroughs was one of the first writers to break the boundaries of queer and drug culture in the 1950’s. His novel Naked Lunch is one of the most recognized and respected literary works of the 20th century and has influenced generations of artists. The intimate documentary breaks the surface of the troubled and brilliant world of one of the greatest authors of all time. –Oscilloscope Films

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Doc Block

24Jul12

An unabashed look at a highly motivational figure.

5 o'clock coffee

9Apr12

3/5 - 4 stars "I have never been gay a day in my life and I'm sure as hell not a part of any movement", said the same man that wrote 'this' queer novel because he was the only one who could write it and because he had "a duty to do these things". Burroughs was a deconstructor of labels and that's what especially calls my attention to him.

N. C.

2Dec11

thrilling, completely thrilling. Burroughs: a man that passed through generations and generations motivating, inspiring them. But a man, like others men that discovered that 'love is the answer' anyway.

BrianFromConcentrate

15Jul11

I've been interested in Burroughs for years. I think when I first used opiates, he was someone who I thought was brave. Now that I can look back on those years of my life, this film really made me think about my past more humanely, rather than regretfully. "Wherever I go and whatever I do I am always in the strait-jacket of junk, unable to move a finger to free myself." The ultimate control.