Synopsis: A tender, vibrant portrait of the life and work of a Beat Generation icon, WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS: A MAN WITHIN is an intimate documentary that breaks the surface of the troubled and brilliant world of one of the greatest authors of all time. Burroughs was one of the first writers to break the boundaries of queer and drug culture in the 1950s. His novel Naked Lunch is one of the most recognized and respected literary works of the 20th century and has influenced generations of artists. WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS: A MAN WITHIN is a probing yet loving look at the man whose works savaged conservative ideals, spawned countercultural movements, and reconfigured 20th century culture. Featuring: JOHN WATERS, PATTI SMITH, GENESIS P-ORRIDGE, PETER WELLER, LAURIE ANDERSON, IGGY POP, THURSTON MOORE, LEE RANALDO, JELLO BIAFRA, GUS VAN SANT, AMIRI BARAKA, DAVID CRONENBERG, ANNE WALDMAN, VICTOR BOCKRIS AND JAMES GRAUERHOLZ

Review: William S. Burroughs is a figure known by many.  His beat-era work helped to inspire underground and eventually above ground culture for decades after.  His writings and musings on culture and politics helped to inspire countless musicians and writers, along with movements like new wave and cyberpunk.  His commons themes were drugs, homosexuality and death.

This film is a fantastic and hugely informative documentary put out by the fine folks at Oscilloscope.  Oscilloscope has yet to show me one poor quality film, so everything they release I watch, until they give me reason not to!   I recommend that you do too.

Interest Range: Documentary