Werc Werk To “Howl”

Indie production and finance shingle Werc Werk Works has come on board to produce and fully finance Rob Esptein and Jeffrey Friedman’s “Howl.” The project will be poduced by Werc Werk Works CEO Elizabeth Redleaf and President Christine Walker. Gus Van Sant serves as Executive Producer with Redleaf. The announcement was made today by Elizabeth Redleaf and Christine Walker.

“Howl” is a genre-expanding detailing of the obscenity trial of Allen Ginsberg’s groundbreaking poem, and the young poet who gained fame as a result. Starring James Franco as Ginsberg, the film weaves three central themes (courtroom drama, context and creation, animation and performance) into an innovative narrative. Ginsberg’s own words, drawn from interviews, journals and essays, narrate the story of his early years.

The producing and financing agreement for “Howl” marks the third production for Werc Werk Works, which launched in August 2008 and is producing and financing Todd Solondz’s upcoming feature tentatively titled “Forgiveness” (a follow up to “Happiness”), which is currently in post-production, as well as Bella Tarr’s “The Turin Horse,” which is now in production.

Principal photography for “Howl” is slated to begin on March 16th in New York City.