Set in San Francisco in 1957, “Howl” explores a pivotal moment in American history when a literary masterpiece faced legal scrutiny. The film weaves together three interconnected narratives: the chaotic life experiences that helped a young Allen Ginsberg discover his authentic artistic voice, the public’s response through an obscenity trial, and innovative animation that mirrors the poem’s groundbreaking creativity. These elements merge to form a genre-defying work that vividly portrays the emergence of a countercultural movement.