William S. Burroughs: A Man Within
- Director: Yony Leyser
- Writer: Yony Leyser
- Producer: Carmine Cervi; Scott Crary
CGiii Comment
This biggest problem that a filmmaker has...when facing the prospect of making a documentary about Burroughs is simple...what refreshing 'novelty' can the filmmaker bring to the table...because, frankly, it has all been - endlessly - laid out before...everything about this grumpy old man has already been told.
Leyser promises unseen footage...and he delivers.
The ubiquitous John Waters pops up...and all the other 'notables'...some relevant, some piggy-backing...
This is a labour of love by Leyser...the heroic worship is just too damn obvious to stomach.
But...for those initiates...it's a fine introduction to this gloomy man.
Is there no-one in the world who considers Burroughs as a man of inherited wealth, a writer of dubious talent, a back-turning father, a decrepit gay junkie...who murdered his wife and got off with it...?
Because...that's exactly what he was.
Listen...you can hear him laughing below - up at everyone...and, at the justice he evaded..
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
William S. Burroughs: featuring never before seen footage as well as exclusive interviews with his closest friends and colleagues. Born the heir of the Burroughs' adding machine estate, he struggled throughout his life with addiction, control systems, and self. He was forced to deal with the tragedy of killing his wife and the repercussions of neglecting his son. His novel, Naked Lunch, was one of the last books to be banned by the U.S. government. Allen Ginsberg and Norman Mailer testified on behalf of the book. The courts eventually overturned their decision in 1966, ruling that the book had an important social value. It remains one of the most recognized literary works of the 20th century. William Burroughs was one of the first to cross the dangerous boundaries of queer and drug culture in the 1950s, and write about his experiences. Eventually he was hailed the godfather of the beat generation and influenced artists for generations to come.
Cast & Characters
Fred Aldrich as Himself;
Laurie Anderson as Herself;
Bill Ayers as Himself;
Amiri Baraka as Himself;
Jello Biafra as Himself;
Victor Bockris as Himself;
William S. Burroughs as Himself;
George Condo as Himself;
David Cronenberg as Himself;
Diane DiPrima as Herself;
Leonard Magruder as Himself;
Patricia Elliott Marvin as Herself;
Robert McColl as Himself;
Thurston Moore as Himself;
Tom Peschio as Himself