The Amazing Jonathan

Second trailer for Paul Goodman Changed My Life. Called 'the most influential man you've never heard of,' Paul Goodman was a stern but confidence-inspiring social critic, a poet (and regular at Black Mountain), an out-of-the-closet queer (in 40s America!), family man, anarchist and public intellectual whose writings and philosophy of life had a resounding impact on all who met him. Growing Up Absurd (1960) is his most famous work--and newly relevant to the recent riots in London and Vancouver--but the range of his writings is quite simply amazing. Jonathan Lee's documentary captures the power of the man and his ideas through interviews with family, peers and activists whose encounters with Goodman changed their lives. Rich archival footage and readings by Goodman and others (including Garrison Keillor, Edmund White and the Living Theater's Judith Malina) from his published works and private journals testify to the scope of his learning and influence, as well as his larger-than-life personality. A kind of forefather to the Beats, he made his stamp on the 60's and notably participated at the famous 1967 Dialectics of Liberation conference in London, which is the subject of discussion at events planned at SFU and the Vancity Theatre in November.

Stand-up comedian Amazing Jonathan and his Mystery of the Golden Pyramid.

Stand-up comedian Amazing Jonathan and his Mystery of the Golden Pyramid.

Criss' friend Amazing Jonathan plays practical jokes on Criss.