Howl

Howl is a 2010 American experimental film which explores both the Six Gallery debut and the 1957 obscenity trial of 20th century American poet Allen Ginsberg's noted poem Howl. The film is written and directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman and stars James Franco as Ginsberg.

howlthemovie.com

“HOWL takes a celebrated piece of writing and makes it come alive.”
- A.O. Scott, New York Times

*****:  ”Undeniably brave, committed and inventive.”
- Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times

“As exuberant and free-wheeling as the poem itself…Seldom has a motion picture bestowed such splendor on the written/spoken word.” 
- John Anderson, Newsday

“A frenetic charged piece of cinematic poetry.” 
- Nick Haramis, Black Book

“A provocative and moving attempt to address concepts of freedom of expression constructed in a manner designed to reflect both the poem that inspired it and the debate that pursued it.” 
- Wyndham Wallace, The Quietus

“Franco inhabits Ginsberg so completely that even those that knew the poet well are taken aback by this remarkable performance.  Ginsberg’s genius for friendship and intimacy is evoked perfectly in the film.” 
- Steven Watson, Artforum

“Howl is an extraordinary film.” 
- Hassan Novoa, Metrosource