William S. Burroughs: A Man Within
Throughout the course of his long, singular
life, American writer William S. Burroughs (1914-1997) crafted some of
the most potent works of experimental literature ever seen, becoming, in
the process, one of the most controversial and influential authors of
the 20th century.
His famed 1959 ‘cut-up’ novel Naked
Lunch redefined existing paradigms of fiction, defying the
limitations of the written word and garnering an obscenity lawsuit in
the process, whilst earlier works like Junky and Queer
introduced an unsuspecting American public to the topics of
homosexuality and heroin use, previously considered beyond the purview
of ‘civilised’ authorship.
William S. Burroughs: A Man Within
is the feature debut for nascent director Yony Leyser, whose self-avowed
task was to try and encapsulate the essence of a man often seen as
taciturn, alien-like and all but impervious to human emotion.
Burroughs’ accidental murder of his first wife, early homosexual love
affairs, his influence on the Beats and subsequent generations and his
struggles with addition are all covered at some length, and help paint
an engrossing picture of a man who was in his time, but never truly of
it. Incorporating interviews with Burroughs’ friends such as Patti
Smith and John Waters, longtime companion James Grauerholtz, as well
ex-boyfriends, biographers, fellow authors and of course archive
recordings of the man himself, Leyser cleverly layers clips of
Burroughs’ readings and private life, period photos and private footage
(much of it never seen before) and in doing so thoroughly succeeds in
cracking the surface of this most unrepresentable of minds.
The resultant portrait is as
all-encompassing as could be hoped for in a single film, and though no
90 minute exploration of Burroughs could ever be said to wholly
definitive many of the central themes and relationships of his life are
nonetheless covered at some length. A Man Within is
simultaneously an excellent introduction to those not altogether
familiar with Burroughs’ work and a must-see for avowed fans; regardless
of previous familiarity, those of an artistic bent find plenty of
insight and inspiration herein.
Special Features
4 Deleted Scenes
Burroughs’ Home Movies
Readings by Burroughs and Patti Smith
Naked Lunch 50th
anniversary celebration
Q & A With the Director at 2010 London Film
Festival
Anna & Bill: A Short Film by Yony
Leyser
Theatrical Trailer
