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When Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman’s dramatic feature Howl, a story of the life and times of famous poet and counter-culture icon Allen Ginsberg, opened this year’s Sundance Film Festival, it did so to mixed reviews. One of the few folks standing fervently on the side of positivity was yours truly. And to this day, I stand by my assessment that Howl is “a complex, multi-layered commentary on art and what it means to different people.” Whether it’s seen as good or not, the movie is certainly interesting. And worth seeing.

Today Oscilloscope Laboraties announced that you will be able to see Howl this year, as per my recommendation. They have acquired the domestic rights to distribute the film and will release it in theaters and on-demand on September 24, 2010.

The film, which stars James Franco as Allen Ginberg, also stars David Strathairn, Jon Hamm, Bob Balaban, Alessandro Nivola, Treat Williams, Mary-Louise Parker and Jeff Daniels. More info can be found via the official synopsis, which I’ve included below, or by reading my Sundance review of the film.

Howl Synopsis:

In his famously confessional style, Ginsberg – poet, counter-culture icon, and chronicler of the Beat Generation – recounts the road trips, love affairs, and search for personal liberation that led to HOWL, the most timeless work of his career.  HOWL interweaves three stories: the unfolding of the landmark 1957 obscenity trial; an imaginative animated ride through the prophetic masterpiece; and a unique portrait of a man who found new ways to express himself, and in doing so, changed his own life and galvanized a generation.