The Beat Hotel

Facing censorship and obscenity trials at home, a variety of American writers took to the unnamed title establishment in Paris' Latin Quarter in the late '50s and early '60s, where they found creative freedom. This Beat Generation celebration explores that period with fresh looks at the works of Allen Ginsberg ("Howl"), William Burroughs ("Naked Lunch"), Ian Sommerville, and other luminaries; features candid interviews as well as Harold Chapman's photographs and Elliot Rudie's drawings. 82 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English; art gallery; bonus shorts "The Dream Machine," "Elliot Rudie Drawings"; interview; photo gallery.