New Trailer: WILLIAM BURROUGHS - A MAN WITH IN
October 14th 2010 22:30
THE PREACHER THEY CALLED HIM
"In my writing I am acting as a map maker, an explorer of psychic areas, a cosmonaut of inner space, and I see no point in exploring areas that have already been thoroughly surveyed". - WILLIAM BURROUGHS
'Happiness is a warm gun', said he
Half crazed poet, half visionary prophet, William Burroughs was a primary figure of the Beat Generation and a major postmodernist author who’s influence on popular culture and literature still permeates today. William Burroughs foretold of cultural ghoulishness, blade runners and junkies. As a key figure in 50's beat literature, Burroughs was able to take all of his demented thoughts and weave them into a haunting prose.
"Happiness is a byproduct of function, purpose, and conflict; those who seek happiness for itself seek victory without war".
Burroughs wrote eighteen novels and novellas, six collections of short stories and four collections of essays He authored such curiosities as Naked Lunch, which was adapted into a film by David Cronenberg. He toured and opened for acts such as Nirvana, Sonic Youth and Spearhead later on in his life, ready to blow the minds of younger generations with the spoken word, always happy to compliment your heroic dose of independent thought or perhaps hallucinogen if required, all through his burning, twisted words that left through rusty, droaning vocal chords.
"I am getting so far out, one day I won't come back at all"
Like many great artists such a Charles Bukowski or Bill Hicks, his work transcended time, sometimes ahead and sometimes in response to a constant loop of stagnating beliefs. Being particularly a fan of Burroughs recordings, which include Dead City Radio, Spare Ass Annie & Other Tales and Break Through In The Grey Room, I'm most excited to see that there is a new documentary that includes a look in to the mind of this crazed man who remained at once far off the beaten path yet part of it, once time had caught up with his words of provocation.
"Desperation is the raw material of drastic change. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in can hope to escape".
William Burroughs: A Man With In, opens in New York on the 17th of November at the IFC centre, but with a little luck will make it's way in other directions sooner than later. It looks to have some fascinating insights and interviews with other artists who were influenced by him and a good introduction to a strange genius who's work was down right eerie and unusual, but definitely important.
Burroughs' major written works date from 1950 and include: And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks • Junkie • Queer • Naked Lunch • The Soft Machine • The Ticket That Exploded • Dead Fingers Talk • Nova Express • The Last Words of Dutch Schultz • The Wild Boys • Port of Saints • Blade Runner (a movie) • Cities of the Red Night • Ghost of Chance • The Place of Dead Roads • The Western Lands • My Education: A Book of Dreams • The Cat Inside
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Much like Hunter S Thompson, whats not to love with such an extreme personality
I went through a stage in my late teens where I tried to read anything of his I could find. (Junkie, Blade Runner (a movie), The Wild Boys and The Soft machine standout) I only wish i could be so raw and honest in my own writing instead of suffering from self censorship. .
I have been keeping an eye out for this documentary ever since it premiered at Slamdance back in January.
Thanks for the official release date.
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Hey John Doe - clearly an obvious comparison I didnt even acknowledge, concerning Hunter Thompson. Have you heard Burroughs albums, his voice is quite scary and adds a whole level of bizaro creepiness to his words. Great for sampling actually.