Gus Van Sant

Thanksgiving Prayer

1990, 2:24 minutes, black and white, sound, English

Courtesy of Gus Van Sant

Based upon the poem “Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 1986”, written by William Burroughs for the book Tornado Alley (1989), Thanksgiving Prayer presents Burroughs reciting an indictment ballad, critical of all political and social groups in America.

Gus Van Sant

The Discipline of D.E.

1982, 8:58 minutes, black and white, sound, English

Courtesy of Gus Van Sant

In this narrated version of a short story by William Burroughs we learn the principles of "Do Easy" and the complications that can arise from the quest to perfect each movement in order to find the most efficient way of doing everything - even nothing. The black and white short culminates in a gun fight with the poignant question "How fast can you take your time, kid?".

Antonello Faretta

The Death of William Burroughs

2005, 3:55 minutes, black and white, sound, English with French subtitles

Courtesy of Noeltan Film Studio

“William died on August 2, 1997, Saturday at 6:30 in the afternoon from complications from a massive heart attack he'd had the day before. He was 83 years old. I was with William Burroughs when he died, and it was one of the best times I ever had with him.”

Poet and performance artist John Giorno recites a poem about the death of his friend, William Burroughs.

John Giorno

Thanks for nothing

Borgio-Verezzi / Les Arques - June 2009
2009, HD video, 9:40 minutes, color, sound, English
Coproduction : Les Ateliers des Arques / John Giorno / ERBA Besançon / Rainer Oldendorf
Courtesy of Rainer Oldendorf

John Giorno performs his « Thanks for nothing on my seventieth birthday. I want to give my thanks to everyone for everything. And as a token of my appreciation I want to offer back to you all my good and bad habits as magnificent priceless jewels, wishfulfilling gems satisfying your every need and want… ».

David Wojnarowicz and Ben Neill

Excerpts from ITSOFOMO (In The Shadow Of FOrward MOtion)

1989, 23:20 minutes, black and white and color, sound, English

Courtesy of P.P.O.W. Gallery