Synopsis

Chappaqua is a controversial, startling semi-autobiographical drama following one addict’s wild journey. When Russel Harwick, a joung, well-to-do alcoholic and junkie, heads to Switzerland for a “Sleeping Cure”, he enters a psychedelic world set not in reality, but in the explosive, delusional landscapes of the mind. Tormented during withdrawal by a disorienting mingling of recollection and fantasy, Harwick experiences a life-affirming epiphany, which leads him from his nightmare.

Featuring one of the most diverse casts in movie history, the Chappaqua filmscape is populated with counter-culture icons Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs, French actor Jean-Louis Barrault and jazz musician Ornette Coleman. Destined to be a cult-classic, Chappaqua takes us to the edge. The movie photographed by Robert Frank won the Silver Lion at the Venice Filmfestival in 1966.

“A mind-blowing movie-biography.” (NEWSWEEK)

“A work of art! Superb!” (THE NEW YORKER)

“It has a compelling purity that makes it universal.” (NEWSDAY)

“A confusing, frightening and weirdly beautiful movie.”(PLAYBOY)