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Thursday 2 September - Wednesday 8 September 2010
Rogue writer
William S. Burroughs
Unpacking the life of a 20th century legend
"The only possible ethic is to do what one wants to do," wrote William S. Burroughs. Born into a life of privilege in St Louis, Missouri, America's most prolific and adored Beat writer certainly lived true to his word. He spent most of his days as a dissolute, self-indulgent junky, unable or unwilling to hold a job, happy to be supported by his parents, frequently on the run from the law. He killed his wife, drove his only son to drink and had his management and friends scoring heroin on his behalf in cities all over the world. He was, in short, a total jackass. But being a total jackass, at liberty to do whatever he wanted to do, Burroughs had a relatively unique perspective of mid-century American life. At first merely a rebel, throwing off the constraints of his upper class heritage, he quickly became a prince of decay, a champion of the seedy underbelly of western civilization. His landscape was populated by drunks, hustlers, dealers and misfits, all scrabbling around in the dirt of the American Dream, and he had the means to speak for them. With acclaimed, controversial novels such as Junkie (1953), Naked Lunch (1959) and Queer (1953, pub. 1985), Burroughs spat in the polite face of the middle classes. His dark humour and grotesque poetry sent shockwaves through a generation, radically altering the accepted definition of "literature" and contributing to the landslide of 1960s counter-culture. Screening in First Look as part of the 2010 Melbourne Writer's Festival, William S. Burroughs: A Man Within makes a superb study of the author, his works and their influence. Featuring rare footage of the subject, and contributions from friends and devotees including John Waters, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop and Gus Van Sant, the documentary goes beyond biographic fact to ask the question, "What kind of man was William S. Burroughs?" The answer may surprise you. Visit our website for session times.
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Counterculture figurehead William S Burroughs is rediscovered in this refreshingly imaginative doco. more
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Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Melbourne Writers Festival showcases the best and brightest in the literary world.
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Join us for a look at Burton's first foray into the world of blockbusters and iconic characters. more
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A celebration of fashion from across the globe with four documentaries presented as part of the cultural program of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week. more
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A shy groom inadvertently proposes to a dead young miss in this rollicking stop-motion operetta. more
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A film about reading, in English, for kids who can't read
Eleanor's Secret
Mon 6 Sep - Mon 4 Oct
This glorious new feature length animated film from France celebrates the world of fairytales. more
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Sometimes men fight because they can't express their real feelings
Rocco and His Brothers
Wed 8 Sep 2010, 7.50pm
Visconti's sordidly operatic tale of a young boxer's journey from the Italian south to Milan. more
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A monster mash of a Burton bash
The Burton Club
Thu 7 Oct - Sat 7 Oct, 6pm-midnight
ACMI reveals its darker side on Thursday nights with a weird and wonderful program capturing the spirit of Burton. more
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Starting this Monday, ACMI will play host to the 2010 Samsung Mobile AFI Awards Screenings, a showcase of new Australian features and short films that are in contention for a big glass trophy. We have two season passes to give away, courtesy of the AFI. If you want one, email giveaways and tell us what you like about Aussie cinema. |
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Writers are pornographers, neurotics and madmen, and we have the films to prove it.
Top Five Film Picks
1. Naked Lunch 2. Adaptation 3. Henry Fool 4. Barton Fink 5. The Shining
Check out these films at the Australian Mediatheque. It's open every day, and it's free.
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T.S. Eliot wrote, "I have measured out my life with coffee spoons." We'll help you keep track with an ACMI coffee card. Buy eleven cups and your twelfth cup is free.
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While visiting ACMI for a little Writers Fest action, perhaps you want to catch up on the latest in practitioner-oriented academic discussions around screenwriting. Screenwriting: History, Theory and Practice (RRP $140) is available now in beautiful hard back. She ain't cheap, but she's worth it.
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Australian
Centre for the Moving Image
Federation Square
Flinders Street
Melbourne Australia
Enquiries & Phone
Bookings
Phone 03 8663 2583 www.acmi.net.au/tickets
Contact
Ph 03 8663 2200
(Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm)
Website
www.acmi.net.au
ACMI Links
ACMI Blog
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Flickr
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Free Burton tickets! Free movie tickets! WHAT?! You heard us. Come sit with us for an hour and tell us what you think of the ACMI What's On Guide and we'll give you a double pass to Burton and ACMI Cinemas tickets, plus a chance to win 1 of 4 one-year ACMI memberships. To register your interest, email us with your name and contact details.
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