Director stephen silha delves into the dark side of. Usa, 20, 82 minute running time the world scandalized james broughton, a sartorialminded prebeat filmmaker and poet, so he, in turn, scandalized it. This is it, a poem in video by james broughton big joy. Follow your own weird was the maxim by which james broughton 191999 lived each and every day. The adventures of james broughton now on your favorite device. The potted psalm with sidney peterson 1946 18 min mothers day 1948 22. Gain unique insights into jamess life by sitting down.
One that featured the groundbreaking fullfrontal yet innocent nudity that this experimental filmmaker was known for. James combined words with images with an infectious delight that i see throughout big joy. The adventures of james broughton 20 is a featurelength documentary on the. 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 chronicles the idiosyncratic life and groundbreaking work of this influential poet and filmmaker. Broughton is the subject of the 2012 documentary film, big joy. The seattlebased silha, on the line from the tribeca film festival in new. James story shows what it means to be yourself, how making art can keep you from losing hope. Tiz a great pleasure to see who james broughton was, to see clips of his films and to hear stories of friends family who knew, worked with, and loved him. The adventures of james broughton plays on may 11 9. Actor i have always been a passionate spokesman for love, even before i knew what it was. Topped by one of his collection of embroidered poets caps, eyes shining, moist lips fluttering for a kiss, james was able to whisk new acquaintances into a place of great intimacy and keep them there. James broughton united kingdom james broughton music. Gay activists may well claim broughton as one of their own, but the film provides a more complex portrait of a man with deep.
Years before the beats arrived in san francisco, the city exploded with artistic expressions. Big joy is the nickname poet and experimental filmmaker james broughton created for himself in the last years of his unusual life. The adventures of james broughton project video thumbnail. The adventures of james broughton is a documentary about embracing your passions and becoming the person of your dreams. Big joy explores broughtons passionate embrace of a life of pansexual. An awardwinning documentary about embracing your passions and becoming the person of your dreams. Big joy is more than a tribute to james broughton, a remarkable film maker and poet. The adventures of james broughton by stephen silha. Adventures of jimmy, four in the afternoon, loony tom, the happy lover, and the pleasure garden. Broughton was a poet and a filmmaker who taught his audiences to follow their own weird. 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.
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. The adventures of james broughton, which worldpremiered at sxsw in 20, traces the life and times of this man of many parts. In part because of its audacity and courage in portraying bodies, the bed became an instant hit all over the west coast, receiving hundreds, if not thousands, of showings in art houses all over. 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. The filmmakers intersperse broughtons diaries, poems and experimental films, weaving an entertaining and complex tribute.
What is the difference between the madefortv and the featurelength version of big joy. 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. Poems james broughton, john ignarri, janet mason, jim cory on. Hart and broughton had two children, and built a counterculture community along with friends including alan watts, michael mcclure, anna halprin, and imogen cunningham. Theyve been a part of the california landscape for hundreds of years, helping to build our canals and highways and railroads, hauling our freight, our silver bullion and, of course, playing a major role during the gold rush era. The adventures of james broughton kino lorber theatrical. His films transcend gender and sex roles and the copious nudity in his 1968 film, the bed, was a hit with the eras. With james broughton, neeli cherkovski, jack foley, alex gildzen. 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. Directed by stephen silha, eric slade, dawn logsdon. Big joy explores broughtons passionate embrace of a life of pansexual transcendence and a fiercely independent mantra. Big joy shows how a unique, unusual soul, could face the bleakness in our society and yet live a very creative, happy life in the twentieth century. Broughton is the subject of our nearly complete documentary film, big joy. Enjoy a rich lineup of tv shows and movies included with your prime membership.
So, his admonition is to be as radically true to yourself as you can be. 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. 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. Big joy evokes an era that he helped to shape, an era that welcomed unwrapping conventions, undressing bodies, and celebrating life and eros. A sneak peak at big joy, a feature length documentary about revolutionary poet and filmmaker james broughton. A short film by james broughton capturing the various activities of people around the same bed. James broughton knew that weird comes from a celtic root meaning fate or destiny. 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. 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. He was a major name in the bohemian life of san francisco and marin county in the 50s and 60s, living an amazingly complex life. James broughton was an american poet and poetic filmmaker.
Big joy explores broughtons passionate embrace of a life of. In the mid20th century, broughton found himself at. James broughton had flown in with joel singer from their home in port townsend, washington. The pleasure garden 1953 a film by james broughton. 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. Big joy is a documentary that explores the twists and turns in the life of a very colorful. The adventures of james broughton stephen silha, eric slade, dawn logsdon, 20. James broughton celebrity profile check out the latest james broughton photo gallery, biography, pics, pictures, interviews, news, forums and blogs at rotten tomatoes. Broughtons wide circle of influence becomes clear in this fascinating new documentary, which includes. A summer party was held in 1994, welcoming me to santa fe and the united states. 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.
After the success of mothers day, james broughton went on to make five more films through the years of 19501953. After making these films, it would take fifteen years for another james broughton film to be completed. Big joy is a documentary that explores the twists and turns in the life of a very colorful character. At its center was the groundbreaking filmmaker and poet james broughton.
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