The two read from their work at a gathering called “Off the Shelf” to students at the Thorne Auditorium at the Northwestern University School of Law on Feb. 19. It was a packed house as the crowd listened intently to Franco and Bidart reminiscing of meeting while Franco’s movies Milk and Pineapple Express were being filmed. President of the Poetry Foundation Robert Polito hosted the panel’s discussion.
Directing Herbert White: Poems covers such icons as James Dean, Sal Mineo and Heath Ledger, stating how they all “pass and fade.”
The artist explained that he enjoys writing younger characters and how he is influenced by the band The Smiths, describing their music as “both sincere and ironic.”
Franco read aloud some of his poems on subjects such as a film-festival experience and covered his approach to acting.
The movie monologue Herbert White was screened as the night drew to a close.
This program was brought to the campus by the Chicago Humanities Festival that was started in 1989. Visit chicagohumanities.org for more information on upcoming events.
Photos and text by Jerry Nunn
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