Destroy All Rational Thought

Destroy All Rational Thought is a captivating experimental documentary film that was released in the year 1998. Directed by Laki Vazakas, this avant-garde movie features the legendary author William S. Burroughs, predominantly known for his significant contribution to the Beat Generation. Burroughs, who has long been recognized as one of the most innovative and influential artists of the 20th century, takes center stage in this work that explores his life, philosophy, and creative processes in a manner quite unlike any other.

Destroy All Rational Thought presents a fascinating narrative that equally serves as a critique of the conventional wisdom of society and an inquiry into the nature of the human mind. The film is not a traditional biopic of Burroughs or an attempt to carefully chronicle his creative journey. Instead, it embodies the ethos typical of the author's own work, combining elements of documentary, fiction, experimental cinema, and even psychedelia, to depict a unique, dreamlike world that functions outside the realm of linearity and rationality.

A considerable part of Destroy All Rational Thought is shot in Lawrence, Kansas, where Burroughs spent the last years of his life. The film captures the local landscape, transforming it into an illusory, almost surreal backdrop against which Burroughs' life unfolds. The depiction of his everyday life interspersed with his creative exploits offered in such an unconventional setting creates a mesmerizing tableau that is simultaneously engaging and disorienting.

Unlike many other films that center on an artist's life, Destroy All Rational Thought resists constructing a monolithic image of Burroughs. Instead, we see a complex, multifaceted personality — reflective, eccentric, somber, candid, and fiercely independent. From his philosophical discourses to the spontaneous recording of his daily routines, Burroughs emerges as an enigmatic figure challenging norms and questioning established mores with his unique insights.

The film also keenly documents his deep engagement with various art forms, such as painting and music. It sheds light on how different facets of his creativity fuel each other, blurring the line between life and art. This aspect makes the film a fascinating study not just of Burroughs' creative impulse, but of the creative process at large.

One major highlight of Destroy All Rational Thought is the incorporation of Burroughs' practices of "Cut-up" techniques. Originated by Burroughs and Brion Gysin, the cut-up is a literary technique or method of rearrangement where a text is cut up and rearranged to create a new one. This method reflects within the film's narrative, with its non-linear progression that seeks to break free from the constraints of ordinary storytelling forms. This approach echoes the film's title, reflecting a deliberate attempt to destroy all rational thought.

Additionally, the film pays homage to Burroughs' distinct influence over many generations of artists and musicians, with particular focus on the punk and grunge movements. In doing so, it simultaneously provides a vital cultural context to his work and impact on modern popular culture.

The filmmakers use innovative techniques in cinematography and editing to inject the film with a sense of Burroughs' own artistic approach and persona. The visuals are rich in metaphorical depictions, and the editing is complex and often experimental, resulting in a compelling, dreamlike experience. The soundtrack adds another layer to the film, with the inclusion of Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo's experimental music contribution which breathes life and freshness into the proceedings, paralleling the tumultuous, groundbreaking spirit of Burroughs himself.

Naturally, the centerpiece of this production remains William S. Burroughs. With his distinctive voice and famous deadpan manner, Burroughs takes the audience through a labyrinth of thoughts and images, guided by his unique ideology and worldview.

All in all, Destroy All Rational Thought is a stellar and impressionistic tribute to one of the 20th century's significant literary figures. It's an exploration, as much of the man as of his environment and influences. The film diverts from traditional narrative tropes to work as a living piece of Burroughs' own artistic philosophy. It's an esoteric journey, one that looks for truth and artistry in the chaotic swirl of life, much like Burroughs himself. A must-watch for Burroughs' fans and students of literature, it will allure those with an inclination towards the experimental and a curiosity about the creative mind's outer reaches.