The Polymath, or, the Life and Opinions of Samuel R. Delany, Gentleman

Dir. Fred Barney Taylor (2007) 75 min.

Throughout this sprawling portrait of prolific science fiction author, professor and literary critic, Samuel R. Delany, one can’t help but wonder how Delany found the time--between grooming his prodigious beard, his amorous dalliances and being highly dyslexic -- to write over twenty works of fiction, eleven works of non-fiction, and two memoirs, finding his way into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.  Using a range of experimental techniques and borrowed footage from Delany’s home movies that document his life growing up in a prominent Harlem household, Taylor captures his subject’s thoughts on racism, violence and his struggles with sexual identity.

After the Movie: Conversation with filmmaker Fred Barney Taylor

Reception hosted by Café Saint Germain, JTE Spirits and Harlem Brewing Company