Watch Words of Advice: William S. Burroughs on the Road

Words of Advice: William S. Burroughs on the Road is a documentary film from 2007 that takes a look at the life of the late, great writer William S. Burroughs. The movie, directed by Lars Movin and Steen Moller Rasmussen, features interviews with Burroughs, as well as several of his close friends and collaborators. The film moves chronologically through Burroughs' life, starting with his early years in St. Louis and his move to New York City in the 1940s. From there, the movie delves into Burroughs' involvement in the Beat movement of the 1950s, his travels to South America and North Africa, and his experiments with various forms of writing, including the 'cut-up' technique that he famously used to create some of his most well-known works.

Throughout the movie, we hear from Burroughs himself about his creative process, his thoughts on art and literature, and his experiences with drugs and addiction. We also hear from his friends and collaborators, including poet John Giorno, artist and writer Brion Gysin, and musician and composer Laurie Anderson.

One of the most interesting parts of the film is when Burroughs talks about his time in Tangier in the 1950s, where he lived for a time with fellow Beat writers Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. Burroughs speaks candidly about his experiences with homosexuality, drug use, and the criminal underworld he encountered while living in Morocco.

As the movie progresses, we see Burroughs become more and more isolated, both physically and creatively. In the 1970s, he moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where he spent the rest of his life. There, he continued to write and experiment with new forms, but he also became increasingly reclusive and suspicious of the world around him.

Overall, Words of Advice is a fascinating and insightful look at one of the most important and influential writers of the 20th century. Through interviews and archive footage, we get a glimpse into Burroughs' creative process and his often tumultuous personal life. The filmmakers do a great job of balancing the various elements of Burroughs' story, from his literary legacy to his struggles with addiction and isolation. Fans of Burroughs' writing will undoubtedly find a lot to enjoy in this movie, but even those who are less familiar with his work will find plenty to be intrigued by.