Portrait of a Bookstore as an Old Man (2003)
In 1951, George Whitman opened a bookshop-commune in Paris. George, 92, still runs his "den of anarchists disguised as a bookstore," offering free, dirty beds to poor literati, cutting his hair with a candle and gluing the carpet with pancake batter. More than 40,000 poets, travelers and political activists have stayed at Shakespeare and Company, writing or stealing books, throwing parties and making soup or love while living with George's generosity and fits of anger. Illustrious guests include Henry Miller, Anaïs Nin, Jacques Prévert, Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs, Gregory Corso, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, James Baldwin and Richard Wright. Welcome to the makeshift utopia of the last member of the Beat Generation.
Director: Gonzague Pichelin, Benjamin Sutherland
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 52 min
Release Date: February 1, 2003
Screenplay
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Gonzague Pichelin, Benjamin Sutherland
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Portrait of a Bookstore as an Old Man about?
- In 1951, George Whitman opened a bookshop-commune in Paris. George, 92, still runs his "den of anarchists disguised as a bookstore," offering free, dirty beds to poor literati, cutting his hair with a candle and gluing the carpet with pancake batter. More than 40,000 poets, travelers and political activists have stayed at Shakespeare and Company, writing or stealing books, throwing parties and making soup or love while living with George's generosity and fits of anger. Illustrious guests include Henry Miller, Anaïs Nin, Jacques Prévert, Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs, Gregory Corso, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, James Baldwin and Richard Wright. Welcome to the makeshift utopia of the last member of the Beat Generation.
- Who directed Portrait of a Bookstore as an Old Man?
- Portrait of a Bookstore as an Old Man was directed by Gonzague Pichelin, Benjamin Sutherland.
- How long is Portrait of a Bookstore as an Old Man?
- Portrait of a Bookstore as an Old Man has a runtime of 52m (52 minutes).
- What genre is Portrait of a Bookstore as an Old Man?
- Portrait of a Bookstore as an Old Man is a Documentary film.