Big Joy: The Adventures of James Broughton



BIG JOY is the story of the charismatic and visionary poet and filmmaker James Broughton. A key player in the artistic renaissance of San Francisco after World War II, Broughton fathered a child with film critic Pauline Kael, wrote poetry alongside Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, received an award from Jean Cocteau at Cannes, and went on to push the boundaries of artistic expression and sexual liberation.

While celebrating the impact of Broughton's art, BIG JOY also explores his deeply intertwined creative and personal lives. For a man who joyfully embraced life and preached "follow your own weird," the repressive McCarthy era brought inner turmoil and even an attempt to "straighten himself out." Ultimately, Broughton's experimental films and poetry helped free both his own spirit and that of a new generation and showed that true love can be found at any age -- even at the young age of 61.

Marigold Media Group was proud to bring this inspiring film about a larger-than-life character to audiences around the country.

  • Premiered on public television stations in June 2016 (check local listings).
  • Produced by Frisky Divinity Productions and distributed by National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA).