The Source

The story

Traces the Beats from Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac's meeting in 1944 at Columbia University to the deaths of Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs in 1997. Three actors provide dramatic interpretations of the work of these three writers, and the film chronicles their friendships, their arrival into American consciousness, their travels, frequent parodies, Kerouac's death, and Ginsberg's politicization. Their movement connects with bebop, John Cage's music, abstract expressionism, and living theater. In recent interviews, Ginsberg, Burroughs, Kesey, Ferlinghetti, Mailer, Jerry Garcia, Tom Hayden, Gary Snyder, Ed Sanders, and others measure the Beats' meaning and impact.

Cast & crew

Johnny DeppJack Kerouac

Dennis HopperWilliam S. Burroughs

John TurturroAllen Ginsberg

Allen GinsbergSelf (archive footage)

William S. BurroughsSelf (archive footage)

Philip GlassSelf

Robert Creeley

Robert CreeleySelf

Ann Charters

Ann ChartersSelf

George Steade

George SteadeSelf

David AmramSelf

Ed SandersSelf

Gregory Corso

Gregory CorsoSelf