Anne Waldman Movies
- 1999
Directed by William Tyler Smith, The Third Mind is a video montage of images, poetry, and music that chronicles the artistic joint venture of Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek and Beat poet/playwright Michael McClure. The "third mind" (as described by Beat guru William Burroughs) that evolves from the collaboration of these two icons from the '60s is seen from conception to performance in this 58-minute film, which not only explores the history behind the partnership of Manzarek and McClure, but also what is behind the creative process. The film features comments from Jim Carroll, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Allen Ginsberg, and others. ~ Kristin Alynn Hussein, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peter Coyote
This documentary by filmmaker Maria Beatty explores the lives, careers, and creative inspirations of the beat poets, forging insight into the minds of such artists as Gregory Corso, Marianne Faithfull, Richard Hell, Allen Ginsberg, Lydia Lunch and Henry Rollins. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi
- Starring:
- William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, (more)
- 1987
In the U.S., in the 1950s, contemporary jazz was becoming more and more esoteric, and a small group of writers, poets and musicians who were hip to that beat were exploring the cracks in the American dream. Meanwhile, the Cold War and insistently cheerful and upbeat attitudes were being promoted by Dale Carnegie and his many imitators. America was never so prosperous, so virtuous, or so happy, and the writers and artists of the Beat generation were among the first to see the worm in that particular apple. Because so many of them couldn't get enthusiastic about the Cold War, they were derisively called "beatniks," the "nik" being an imitation Russian diminutive. In this 1980s documentary, surviving eminences from that period discuss the times and their experiences. Among those appearing are Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac's daughter and wife, William S. Burroughs, Amiri Baraka (a.k.a. LeRoi Jones) and others, while archival footage gives viewers a taste of other greats of the period. The former Tonight Show host and author Steve Allen narrates. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Starring:
- David Amram, Amiri Baraka, (more)
- 1982
After World War II there was a group of young men -- writers primarily -- who were disillusioned by the pursuit of the American dream. These men and other artists, associated through mutual friendships, were looking for new ways and means to express themselves and their ideals. Soon their writings found an audience and the American media took notice of their bohemian lifestyles, dubbing them the Beat Generation. Members of this group included writers Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs and poet Allen Ginsberg. essentially forming the Trinity of the Beats, and influencing the works of others during that era, including the "hippie" movement of the '60s. In this 55-minute video narrated by Allen Ginsberg, members of the Beat Generation are reunited to share their works and recollections. ~ Forrest Spencer, Rovi
Director Ron Mann has put together readings by 24 different poets (after filming a total of 60 writers reciting their works), and then has poet and author Charles Bukowski verbalize "everyman's" criticisms of poetry: it is boring, irrelevant, self-indulgent, and does not make much sense. Then he counterpoints these statements with dynamic, entertaining, and inspiring works by poets such as Allen Ginsberg, Leroi Jones, Anne Waldeman, Helen Adams and 20 others. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jim Carroll, Charles Bukowski, (more)
