Howl, a film embodying the life and works of Allen Ginsberg, opens at the Tampa Theatre this weekend.
Directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, produced by Gus Van Sant and starring James Franco and Jeff Daniels, among others. This production is certainly making an attempt at attracting a larger crowd.
Ginsberg’s poem, also entitled “Howl,” became very famous for its first line, which gives a good idea of the entire work: “I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by / madness, starving hysterical naked, / dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix …”
While those lines definitely set a sinister mood, they are only the beginning of what Allen Ginsberg and his beat friends (among them Jack Kerouac and
William S. Burroughs) experienced throughout their time in New York and beyond.
Although the poem was written in 1955 and documentaries about the beats exist, not many pictures exposed the movement to wider masses.
If one suspects Howl to be a simple autobiography, be warned.
This picture is clearly experimental.
Naturally, it does not only focus on Ginsberg’s first reading at San Francisco’s Six Gallery, but it also sheds light onto the following “Obscenity Trials,” which were to be endured by the poem’s publisher.
The narrative is interwoven with black and white scenes, as well as animated reenactments.
If one is looking for a new movie experience, Howl makes for a solid recommendation.
People from various generations can all appreciate Ginsberg’s work.
One such individual is Tara Schroeder, Director of Programing and Marketing at Tampa Theatre.
“I was chatting with a friend who was about 12 when Ginsburg wrote ‘Howl.’
“She had just transferred from an all-white Catholic school to an integrated public school in Ohio.
“While she didn’t completely comprehend the poem, reading it helped her understand prejudice around her and give voice to the empathetic feelings she had for its victims,” said Schroeder. “It’s always fascinating to see films or read books about people whose thoughts and beliefs influence our culture.”
Howl is not rated. The picture will be shown from Nov. 19 on, starting at 7:30 p.m. (except Nov. 20), with additional 3 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. screenings on Sunday.
JP Busche can be reached at Jbusch@spartans.ut.edu.