COTTONWOOD PRODUCTIONS presents
go moan for man:
The literary odyssey of Jack Kerouac
The definitive two-hour documentary
by Doug Sharples
Go Moan for Man travels the highways and byways of Kerouac's life and writings, visting the places where he lived, wrote, and traveled. Witness re-enacted moments from Kerouac's life. Meet the real people behind the characters in his books. Hear Kerouac's words come alive through the voice of Peter Lownds. Learn from the scholars who explain Kerouac's literary importance.
MORE ABOUT THE FILM
fast facts
- First completed in 1999 as a 16mm film
- Released on DVD in 2022 and 2023
- Acclaimed by critics as "the most comprehensive Kerouac documentary" ever made
includes appearances by
- Steve Allen, David Amram, Ken Babbs, David Boxer
- Douglas Brinkley, Roger Brunelle, William S. Burroughs
- Ann Charters, Gregory Corso, Brian Foye, Lawrence Ferlinghetti
- Allen Ginsberg, Abbie Hoffman, John Clellon Holmes, Paul Jarvis
- Joyce Johnson, Jan Kerouac, Stella Sampas Kerouac, Ken Kesey
- Paul Krassner, Timothy Leary, Michael McClure, Dennis McNally
- John Montgomery, Gerald Nicosia, Peter Orlovsky, Edie Parker
- Jim Sampas, John Sampas, Gary Snyder, John Tytell
- Joy Walsh, Regina Weinreich
- and including footage of Jack Kerouac himself!
independent filmmaker doug sharples
- Traveled 50,000 miles following Kerouac's books and life for this film
- Took 17 years to complete the film, working with a small crew of family and friends
- Created many other films in his lifetime, including many award-winning environmental and educational films. Go Moan for Man was a personal project.
TWO DVD options: Academic & theatrical
three-part academic edition
This three-part academic version of "Go Moan for Man: The Literary Odyssey of Jack Kerouac" separates the feature-length movie into three sections for easy viewing and showing in the classroom. Part I ("The Road is Life.") explores Kerouac's beginnings, his start as a writer, and his epic quest to explore the world. Part II ("Life is a dream already ended.") examines Kerouac's literary success and personal failure. Part III ("The Resurrection.") delves into Kerouac's posthumous acceptance into the literary pantheon as one of the greats of American literature. DVD cost: $40, with academic license for classroom and educational use.
theatrical edition with bonus extras DVD
The theatrical edition of "Go Moan for Man: The Literary Odyssey of Jack Kerouac" includes the two-hour documentary as well as bonus extras, including a 2022 interview with Musician David Amram, who was appears in the film in 1982. Also included in bonus extras are interviews with Producer Judi Sharples, wife of the late filmmaker Doug Sharples, who speaks about the making of the film. This version is meant for personal use. DVD cost: $25.
Theatrical showings of the film can be arranged upon request. Contact Riva Sharples at 605-760-5799.