Broughton was in at least two serious hetero relationships. The adventures of james broughton now on your favorite device. In the spirit of broughton himself, big joy s celebration of an experimental filmmakers life is a lively collage of movie clips, diary entries and unreserved conversations with the. This is it, a poem in video by james broughton big joy. The filmmakers intersperse broughton s diaries, poems and experimental films, weaving an entertaining and complex tribute.
A prebeatera poet, underground filmmaker, lover, gay man and artist who dared to live boldly and experiment wildly, broughton is the subject of the documentary film, big joy. The adventures of james broughton comes as a most welcome introduction or reintroduction to an overlooked but important figure. The adventures of james broughton 20 the twists and turns in the life of james broughton, a pioneer filmmaker. A sneak peak at big joy, a feature length documentary about revolutionary poet and filmmaker james broughton. A spirited documentary exploring the life of james broughton, a pioneer of experimental cinema, visionary poet, and bard of gay liberation, big joy is a kaleidoscopic portrait of broughtons luminous life and personality. Mar 09, 20 big joy is james broughton, pioneer of experimental cinema in the 1940s, and trickster poet who was a precursor to the beat movement in san francisco. The adventures of james broughton celebrates the life of the sexually liberated poet. Big joy is a documentary that explores the twists and turns in the life of a very colorful character, plus how art has the power to save lives and make the world a better place. Born in 19, broughton overcame a difficult childhood to have a long, fulfilling career and personal life. For a man who joyfully embraced life and preached follow your own weird, the repressive mccarthy era brought inner turmoil and even an attempt to straighten himself out. Big joy is a rich examination of one of queer historys most provocative, wild, and overlooked figures but it is more than this, as it paints a portrait of what it means to make art that electrifies, dazzles, and shakes you art that stimulates you. The potted psalm with sidney peterson 1946 18 min mothers day 1948 22 min 16 mmadventures of jimmy 1950 11 min 16 mm. He was a poet, a filmmaker, an artist, a gay man, a straight man and an allaround visionary. His name was unfamiliar to me too until a few weeks ago.
James broughton refused to live an inauthentic life. The adventures of james broughton james broughtons most famous film, the bed. Big joy is james broughton, pioneer of experimental cinema in the 1940s, and. Jason jenn is an labased performance artist, director, designer, and event planner who was inspired by the film big joy and james broughton s poetry to create performance events using broughton s poetry and films, bringing them a vibrant contemporary feel. Big joy explores broughton s passionate embrace of a life of pansexual transcendence and a fiercely independent mantra. James combined words with images with an infectious delight that i see throughout big joy. Thats where our movie comes in and the words and works of james broughton that. Most importantly, those people who knew or worked with james will share their stories and insights into the life of this master of visual and verbal images. The adventures of james broughton made its world premiere at the sxsw film festival considering the documentarys subject, james broughton can very well be considered a godfather of independent film. The adventures of james broughton is a documentary about embracing your passions and becoming the person of your dreams, disguised as an inspiring biopic about pioneering filmmaker and. The adventures of james broughton, directors eric slade and stephen silha detail broughtons courage and impertinence in rejecting the heteronormative life of the 50s onward with its emphasis on frenetic consumerism and.
A spirited documentary exploring the life of james broughton, a pioneer of experimental cinema, visionary poet, and bard of gay liberation, big joy is a. Big joy, an enjoyable documentary about broughtons life and work, has its world premiere at sxsw this weekend. The adventures of james broughton at uniondocs this month. Big joy s tribute to james broughton is a lesson on the potentialities of risky creativity. The adventures of james broughton made its world premiere at the 20 south by southwest film festival.
The big joy film creates a journey through the life and works of the exquisite poet, a vibrant lover, innovator, and role model james broughton. This documentary chronicles, for the first time on film, the groundbreaking influence and artistic achievements of pansexual poetfilmmaker james broughton who was intimately connected to crucial, artistic figures, including. Named after a poem broughton wrote in tribute to his longtime lover, big joy traces the artistic journey from postwar bohemia through the hedonistic 70s and 80s, examining broughton s. The adventures of james broughton a key player in the artistic renaissance of san francisco after world war ii, james broughton fathered a child with film critic pauline kael, wrote poetry alongside allen ginsberg and lawrence ferlinghetti, received an award from jean cocteau at cannes, and went on to push the boundaries of artistic.
I marveled at why our culture doesnt know this incredible figure more, but the film brings his world and wit to attention with great style. Visit our shows page to discover other programs you may. Already wellreceived at tribeca, sxsw and frameline, big joy. Charismatic poet and experimental filmmaker james broughton was a leading figure in san franciscos postwwii artistic renaissance, as well as a defining voice of the sexual revolution. The adventures of james broughton is a documentary about embracing your passions and becoming the person of your dreams. The adventures of james broughton outsmart magazine. The adventures of james broughton may also be available with public performance rights ppr and digital site licensing dsl for colleges and universities. Big joy focuses on james broughton, an artist who followed his weird san francisco renaissance figure james broughton is the subject of a film codirected by a minneapolis native. The adventures of james broughton celebrates the life of. An energetic doc that explores the art and sexual adventures of early independent filmmaker james broughton. Broughton is the subject of our nearly complete documentary film, big joy. South by southwest film festival hong kong 25 march 20 hong kong international film festival usa 21 april 20 tribeca film festival canada 11 may 20 doxa documentary film festival usa 22 june 20 frameline film festival usa 15 july 20 outfest film festival mexico 20 july 20 guanajuato international film festival australia.
While celebrating the impact of broughton s art, big joy. The adventures of james broughton, directors eric slade and stephen silha detail broughton s courage and impertinence in rejecting the heteronormative life of the 50s onward with its emphasis on frenetic consumerism and. The adventures of james broughton is a terrific tribute to the revered poet, writer and pioneering experimental filmmaker. The adventures of james broughton also explores his deeply intertwined creative and personal lives. Iconic artist, filmmaker, and poet, james broughton it is more than appropriate that the big joy. One wonders if a james broughton would be possible today, when it is leagues more easy though still not 100% safe to be openly gay in america. Big joy is james broughton, pioneer of experimental cinema in the 1940s, and trickster poet who was a precursor to the beat movement in san francisco. What is the difference between the madefortv and the featurelength version of big joy.
For those who want to know more, the splendid documentary big joy. Like a gay, hippie version of zelig, this renaissance man lived many lives through many decades a playwright in postwar san francisco, a filmmaking career that culminated in a special prize at cannes and an academic life that fostered his experimental. Big joy evokes an era that he helped to shape, an era that welcomed unwrapping conventions, undressing bodies, and celebrating life and eros. Hart and broughton had two children, and built a counterculture community along with friends including alan watts, michael mcclure, anna halprin, and imogen cunningham. A new documentary about embracing your passions and becoming the person of your dreams. More than that, he can be considered a pioneer of bizarre and expressive art that indirectly effects. May 15, 2014 the big joy film creates a journey through the life and works of the exquisite poet, a vibrant lover, innovator, and role model james broughton. The adventures of james broughton wild about movies. The world scandalized james broughton, a sartorialminded prebeat filmmaker and poet, so he, in turn, scandalized it. When artist james broughton came on the scene in the 1940s, he struck with a personality so big and joyous that the film community could not help but follow. The adventures of james broughton a key player in the artistic renaissance of san francisco after world war ii, james broughton fathered a child with film critic pauline kael, wrote poetry alongside allen ginsberg and lawrence ferlinghetti, received an award from jean cocteau at cannes, and went on to push the boundaries of artistic expression and sexual liberation.
One that featured the groundbreaking fullfrontal yet innocent nudity that this experimental filmmaker was known for. Follow your own weird was the maxim by which james broughton 191999 lived each and every day. His films are full of young men with their kits off and their bits out. James broughton 191999 lived by the maxim follow your own weird each and every day. The twists and turns in the life of james broughton, a pioneer. Enjoy a rich lineup of tv shows and movies included with your prime. Ultimately, broughtons experimental films and poetry helped free both his own spirit and that of a new generation, and at the young age of 61, he met the love of his life. In the mid20th century, broughton found himself at. The filmmakers intersperse broughtons diaries, poems and experimental films, weaving an entertaining and complex tribute. Tuesday on the newshour, former vice president joe biden looks to be having another big night, with projected primary victories in michigan, mississippi and missouri. The adventures of james broughton 20 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Broughton is the subject of the 2012 documentary film, big joy. The adventures of james broughton original motion picture soundtrack on discogs.
James broughton united kingdom james broughton music. His remarkable story spans the postwar san francisco renaissance, his influence on the beat generation. Years before the beats arrived in san francisco, the city exploded with artistic expressions. Poet and experimental filmmaker james broughton is the object of celebration in the biographical documentary big joy. Big joy is more than a tribute to james broughton, a remarkable film maker and poet.
Usa, 20, 82 minute running time the world scandalized james broughton, a sartorialminded prebeat filmmaker and poet, so he, in turn, scandalized it. James broughton, eric slade, stephen silha, dawn logsdon. The film was part of the feature documentary programming at the 20 tribeca film. His films transcend gender and sex roles and the copious nudity in his 1968 film, the bed, was a hit with the eras. A spirited documentary exploring the life of james broughton, a pioneer of experimental cinema, visionary poet, and bard of gay liberation, big joy is a kaleidoscopic portrait of broughton s luminous life and personality. The adventures of james broughton, which worldpremiered at sxsw in 20, traces the life and times of this man of many parts. Broughton was a poet and a filmmaker who taught his audiences to follow their own weird. While few moviegoers will know the name of james broughtona poet and experimental filmmakerhe played a role in creating the indie film scene that flourishes today, especially at film festivals. The adventures of james broughton chronicles the idiosyncratic life and groundbreaking work of this influential poet and filmmaker. Big joy explores broughtons passionate embrace of a life of pansexual transcendence and a fiercely independent mantra. The adventures of james broughton at tff 20, you can remedy that misfortune this friday, november 15, at uniondocs in williamsburg. James broughton l and partner joel singer in broughtons 1983 film devotions.
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