Trailer: William S. Burroughs Documentary Looks Crazy Like William S. Burroughs

September 1st, 2009

By: Ben

Writer and legend William S. Burroughs was so far ahead of his time that we don’t know how far ahead of his time he was because we haven’t gotten to his time yet, and if we ever do, it will probably be the end, for us. Surprisingly, this, A Man Within, is the first ever documentary about his life, and interviewees include some pretty big names in outlaw artist circles: John Waters, Gus Van Sant, David Cronenberg, Jello Biafra, Iggy Pop, and Sonic Youth, not to mention Burrough’s lovers and his gun dealer.

As Waters says of the man, “He was the first person who was famous for things you were supposed to hide. He was gay, he was a junkie, he didn’t look handsome, he shot his wife, he wrote poetry about assh*les and heroin. He was not easy to like.” Trailer, ATJ:

I have no idea how this man lived to 83. I did not think it was physiological possible to be addicted to heroin for 60 years.