Johnny the Selfkicker (pseudonym for Johnny van Doorn) was one of the first poets to bring his lyrics into exciting manifestations. He made gasping, hissing and scratching sounds an act of his poetry. The intention was to free the audience and themselves from frustrations and tensions. However, the audience reacted ambiguously to these radical expressions of art: with loud applause but also furiously throwing ashtrays and chairs. The documentary sketches the artistic life of Johnny van Doorn exclusively through archive.