"Poetry, New York" is a documentary film that explores the uncharted world of poet-publishers in New York City, "the toughest place in the world" according to renowned poet Anne Waldman.  It's a hard place to be a poet, that's for sure, but harder yet to be a poet and a publisher at the same time.

Tod Thilleman of Spuyten Duyvil Press, poet, publisher and entrepreneur, acts as our guide as we beat the streets to discover the small independent presses and a vibrant community of poets, publishers, live performers and video artists.  He leads us through a documentary film featuring headline interviews with Matvei Yankelevich of Ugly Duckling Presse, Rachel Levitsky of the Belladonna Collective, Kyle Dayucan of the legendary Poetry Project, Waldman, Thilleman himself and other lesser established yet equally dedicated and passionate poets.

As we follow Thilleman along the way, we see 'graffiti' poems on Manhattan streets, ongoing poetic art, a video poem and pay a visit to Berl's Brooklyn Poetry Shop.  The film also features well known and much loved poet, Lewis Warsh, who, recently deceased, appears in his last major interview.

"Poetry, New York" introduces us to the gifted men and women who, fatally financed and against all odds, continue to write and publish works of great and lasting value.  The film reveals the hardships they face and the sacrifices they make, and likewise shows the fulfillment and rewards they reap in the toughest place in the world.

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"Poetry, New York" enjoyed its World Premiere at the Chain NYC Film Festival in August 2022.  Since then it has screened at many other festivals, including the New Haven Documentary Film Festival, Cinque Ports in the UK and Festival Cinemística in Granada, Spain.  View the Trailer of "Poetry, New York" at the following link:

https://www.patrickpfister.com/ny2

 

"Poetry, New York" Poster