Screening

About Chappaqua

Year Released:

1966

Genres:

Drama, Experimental

Metadata:

Directed by Conrad Rooks

The Burroughs Century The hypnotic, psychedelic 1966 cult film written, directed by and starring Conrad Rooks was based on Rooks’ own experiences with drug addiction and his reaffirmation of life while visiting Switzerland. Part of the appeal of Chappaqua is its appearances by famous figures of the 1960s including author William S. Burroughs, French actor Jean-Louis Barrault, guru Swami Satchidananda, jazz musician Ornette Coleman, musical group The Fugs, beat poets Allen Ginsberg and Moondog, and Ravi Shankar — who co-wrote the score with Philip Glass.

The film depicts its namesake, Chappaqua, New York as a sleepy hamlet in Westchester County, symbolic of drug-free suburban childhood innocence as well as one of the film’s references to Native American culture.

"A mind-blowing movie-biography." -NEWSWEEK

“A work of art! Superb!” -THE NEW YORKER