Sundance claimed to be "rebellious" on all of their programs, but they are not. Most of the movies at Sundance were multi-million dollar pictures that were already guaranteed a theatrical release.

Slamdance actually is indie and rebellious. Sundance obviously felt threatened.

All of William S. Burroughs friends pushed it forward and introduced me to one another. I was able to enter into that beat family for a while and document it.

After I got kicked out of CalArts, I moved to Lawrence Kansas where my sister lived. I began working on A William S. Burroughs documentary. I had no idea it would turn into such a big film.

Authors and artists are still afraid of breaking away as far as [William Burroughs] did... And he did it in the 50s!

[Allen] Ginsberg totally helped that out. He was the best sales person. He was the most pop. They are still shocking and relevant, especially [William] Burroughs.

I'm really happy I was kicked out of CalArts (for a controversial art piece I made).

I like documenting people who can break away from the conformist boring world we are stuck in and either live their life in a much more far out way or create art that critiques it well.

One day, your light will silence the darkness, and you will be surrounded by the beauty within.

There seems to be three ways for a nation to acquire wealth: the first is by war...this is robbery; the second by commerce, which is generally cheating; the third by agriculture, the only honest way.

I can't relate to these haters, my enemies never made it.

in extreme circumstances I think embarrassment is a luxury.

Ask youself: "Am I loving as deeply as I am capable of loving?"

I always used to tell my players that we are here to win! And you know what, Al? When you don't win, you lose.

My mom says that my dad coerced me into choosing the cello. He says that's not entirely true. I don't remember; I was three.

Hypocrisy and distortion are passing currents under the name of religion

People love freedom - but nobody wants responsibility. And they come together, they are inseparable.

Mastery comes via a monomaniacal focus on simplicity versus an addiction to complexity.