Naked Lunch 1991
Loosely based on the works (and less loosely on the life) of infamous author William S. Burroughs, David Cronenberg's Naked Lunch is the perfect cinematic blend of art house, crime noir, horror and surrealism. Seeing as how Naked Lunch (the novel) is a totally free form work that really hasn't got much of an actual narrative, Cronenberg made the artistic decision to base his film of the same name on parts of the titular novel and the rest on actual events from Burroughs' life.

The main character is a failed writer turned bug exterminator who discovers that he is short on bug powder because his wife, Joan (Judy Davis), has started shooting up on it. Instead of trying to get her off the powder, Bill decides to experiment with it and see if it is as good as Joan claims. Soon after, his typewriter turns into a giant talking bug that urges him to head to the Interzone, a magical place where lost souls can rebuild their lives and roam free...

Director: David Cronenberg
Cast: Peter Weller, Judy Davis, Ian Holm
Country: Canada, UK, Japan
Genre: Drama


BD50, 2xDVD | 1080p AVC, NTSC | 01:55:40 | 43.9 Gb + 10.8 Gb
Language: English, Russian(DVD only)
Subtitles: English, Russian(DVD only)

Extras:

Commentary - this is the same audio commentary with director David Cronenberg and actor Peter Weller that initially appeared on Criteiron's DVD release of Naked Lunch. It was recorded in Toronto and Los Angeles in 2003.

Naked Making Lunch - a 1992 documentary focusing on the production history of Naked Lunch by Chris Rodley. The documentary features clips from interviews with David Cronenberg and William S. Burroughs, actors Judy Davis (Joan Frost/Joan Lee) and Peter Weller (Bill Lee), producer Jeremy Thomas, and special effects supervisor Jim Isaac, amongst others. In English, not subtitled. (49 min, 1080i).

Special Effects Gallery - this gallery features a collection of artwork and photographs detailing the special effects by Chris Walas, Inc., for Naked Lunch. The images are accompanied by an essay by film writer Jody Duncan, which originally appeared in longer form in Cinefex magazine. All images are in 1080p.

Film Still and Design Sketch Gallery - this gallery features production stills, by set photographer Attila Dory, of the cast and crew at work on the set of Naked Lunch. Also included are design sketches for some of the sets, drawn by art director James McAteer under the supervision of production designer Carol Spider. All images are in 1080p.

Marketing:
-- 1. Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Naked Lunch created by 20th Century Fox. David Cronenberg once described it as "audacious and intelligent". In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080i).
-- 2. Featurette - a standard short featurette with comments by cast and crew members and footage from the shooting of Naked Lunch. In English, not subtitled. (7 min, 1080i).
-- 3. B-Roll Montage - more raw footage. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, 1080i).
-- 4. TV Spot: "Review" - in English, not subtitled. (1 min, 1080i).
-- 5. TV Spot: "Riveting" - in English, not subtitled. (1 min, 1080i).

William S. Burroughs Reads Naked Lunch - an audio recording of William S. Burroughs reading from his novel Naked Lunch. The recording was produced in 1995 for an audiobook and features music by Bill Frisell, Wayne Horvitz, and Eyvind Kang. (64 min, 1080p).

Photographs of William S. Burroughs by Allen Ginsberg - these photographs, from the collection of poet Allen Ginsberg, show author William S. Burroughs in New York and Tangiers during the years that he wrote and published Naked Lunch. A longtime friend of Burroughs', Ginsberg was an avid photographer who documented the Beat generation. Also appearing in the photographs are Ginsberg himself and writers Jack Kerouac and Paul Bowles, as well as other prominent Beat figures. Ginsberg handwrote captions on some of the photographs, which are transcribed here, unedited. All photographs are in 1080p.