Film + Video Screenings

Tuesday, Jul 2 | 2–3:10pm

Free in conjunction with Free First Tuesdays

In this documentary, Carolyn Cassidy, wife of Neal Cassidy, lover-muse of Jack Kerouac, and Allen Ginsberg’s friend, charts her life and own writing career alongside the icons of the Beat Generation (70 min, 2011). Presented in conjunction with Beat Memories: The Photographs of Allen Ginsberg.

Tuesday, Aug 6 | 2–3:20pm 

Free in conjunction with Free First Tuesdays

This documentary reveals Lawrence Ferlinghetti's role as catalyst for numerous literary careers and for the Beat movement itself.  His City Lights Bookstore remains an iconic literary institution that embodies social change and literary freedom. Directed by Christopher Felver and featuring Ferlinghetti, Allen Ginsberg, Gary Snyder, Dennis Hopper, Billy Collins, Dave Eggers, Anne Waldman, Bob Dylan, Bill Morgan, and many more (73 min, 2009). Presented in conjunction with Beat Memories: The Photographs of Allen Ginsberg.

Sunday, Aug 18 | Film 2–3pm; Talk 3:10–4:30pm

Admission: Free with Museum admission  Get Tickets

 Narrated by the artist, Philip Guston: A Life Lived was filmed as the artist organized his 1980 retrospective at SFMOMA. Mixing footage shot in San Francisco and at the artist's Woodstock studio, this film captures Guston speaking candidly about his philosophy of painting and life (58 min, 1981). Following the film, poet and art scholar Bill Berkson discusses Guston’s work in the context of the exhibition Beyond Belief: 100 Years of the Spiritual in Modern Art.  Berkson will also share personal stories of a longtime professional and personal relationship with the artist.

Tuesday, Sep 3 | 2–3:40pm

Free in conjunction with Free First Tuesdays

A biographical musical film inspired by the life of Bob Dylan, six different actors play Dylan at various stages of his life. Directed by Todd Haynes and starring Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Heath Ledger and others (135 min, 2007). Presented in conjunction with Beat Memories: The Photographs of Allen Ginsberg.