D.A. Pennebaker’s cinematic portrait of 23 year old Bob Dylan is more than just the record of a talented musician, it also depicts the flowering of a certain kind of consciousness. Again and again in his interactions with fans, fellow musicians, and local dignitaries, Dylan subverts the idea of what a famous singer should be. His steady stream of patter and in-jokes seems modern even today – like a time traveler who would shortly, more than anyone else, make over the era in his image. Not primarily a music doc, though it is filled with unforgettable performances, this is a completely one-of-a-kind movie about a one-of-a-kind person, and Pennebaker’s direct cinema style captures the man, the music, and the attitude for all time.

Screening introduced by Austin Chronicle music editor Raoul Hernandez.