North by Northeast 2008

When most people think of Jack Kerouac, they think of life on the road: smoky bars, cool jazz, and crazy, drug-fuelled nights. But, in fact, Kerouac grew up in—and was deeply influenced by—the small textile town of Lowell, Massachusetts. In this poetic half-hour film, writers and celebrities read from Kerouac’s writings, ranging from childhood memories to musings on topics such as literature, education, religion, birth and death. Images of Lowell provide visual accompaniment to readings by Gregory Corso, Johnny Depp, Carolyn Cassady, David Amram, Robert Creeley and Joyce Johnson. And with a soundtrack from jazz veteran Lee Konitz, LOWELL BLUES swirls word, image and music into a haunting look at small-town America.

Canadian Premiere