William S. Burroughs. Beat author. Junkie. Playwright. Queer. Poet. Gun lover. Wife killer. Native Kansan. Counter culture icon. Any or all these “labels” can be applied to the author of “Naked Lunch” and other works of the man that helped turn literary culture on its head. Both a cultural figure and acclaimed author, Burroughs’ life and legacy is one of equal parts controversy, fascination and legend. Director Yony Leyser examines the life and times of the man and the myth in the new documentary “William S. Burroughs: A Man Within” and the film gets its New England premiere this weekend at the Brattle Theater.

Narrated by Peter Weller (star of the film adaptation of “Naked Lunch”), Leyser delves into the dramatic events of the troubled artist’s life—from killing his common law wife in a drunken game of “William Tell” to the trial over banning “Naked Lunch.” However Leyser seems to be interested in two things: the impact of Burroughs on culture and whether or not the man eventually found happiness. The film hosts an array of artists, musicians, filmmakers, and of course writers to talk about what Burroughs’ writing (and the man) meant to them and their art. But the real find are the numerous pieces of archival footage of the man himself never seen before. Plenty of candid moments of him in all kinds of light, and quite a bit of gun play.

As a special feature this weekend (the 97th anniversary of his birth), the Brattle will be have late evening screenings of “Naked Lunch.” Directed by David Cronenberg, he dares to film the unfilmable book using the events and people of Burroughs’ own life to help tell the story of an exterminator turned drug addict/writer making his way through the bizarre port of Interzone.

“William S. Burroughs: A Man Within” premieres at the Brattle Theater on Friday February 4, and runs through February 11. “Naked Lunch” will screen on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9:15 each night.