Inspired by Francis Coppola's concept of Live Cinema, Brother Verses Brother is a radically personal musical odyssey from acclaimed filmmaker Ari Gold and songwriter Ethan Gold. The story of combative twin musicians hunting the streets of San Francisco for their dying poet father, it is improvised by the director’s own family, and plays in a single unbroken shot.

Made in the tradition of intimate stories like Once and Before Sunrise, Brother Verses Brother is a funny and moving testament to the power of music, the bonds of brotherhood, and the life of a city - experienced by the viewer in real-time.

Brother Verses Brother is also a rare vision of American culture, taking the audience on a safari through the secret haunts of Jack Kerouac & Allen Ginsberg - and co-starring the last Beat poet on earth, 99-year-old Herbert Gold, in a role performed only weeks before his death.

The companion book, Father Verses Sons, was a recent selection of Scribner’s Best American Poetry. A companion film, Helicopter, which features Alejandro Jodorowsky and expands on Ari’s student-Oscar winning short film about his mother’s death, will be completed in late 2025.

Brother Verses Brother features original music by The Brothers Gold, and co-stars local jazz legend Lara Louise, Brian Bell (of the band Weezer), & San Francisco’s Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin. Sound will be mixed by Jim McKee at American Zoetrope; songs by Tony Hoffer (Air, Beck, Belle & Sebastian).

“BROTHER VERSES BROTHER”
WORLD PREMIERE at SXSW FILM FESTIVAL

All screenings include Q&A with Live Performance!

SUNDAY MARCH 9, 715pm, Alamo Lamar
In honor of the 101st birthday of Herbert Gold.
Afterparty open to public 930pm at the Highball.

MONDAY MARCH 10, 2:15pm
Violet Crown Cinema

WEDNESDAY MARCH 12, 630
Violet Crown Cinema