The junkie prophet returns home—and he's brought his cut-up technique with him.
A portrait of the American Beat Generation writer William S. Burroughs (1914-1997) based on never-before-seen footage from his visit to Denmark in October 1983, and from his later years in Lawrence, Kansas. After having spent more than a quarter of a century outside of the United States, in Mexico, Tangier, Paris and London, Burroughs returned to New York in 1974. Shortly after, he began touring and reading his work to new generations of readers and thus establishing himself as a cult figure. The film focuses on Burroughs' unique talent as a performer, and on his later work, especially what is known as The Last Trilogy. In addition to the historic footage there are new interviews with friends and colleagues.
Acting
Burroughs' deadpan delivery is its own performance art
Direction
Patient Danish lens lets the legend breathe
Editing
Cut-up structure mirrors Burroughs' own method
Director
Steen Møller Rasmussen
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Burroughs shot his wife Joan Vollmer in 1951 during a drunken William Tell act; this hangs over every word he speaks.
The 1983 Denmark visit coincided with Burroughs' first major wave of academic legitimation—ironically, as punk was making him a t-shirt.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
DK
