CHARLES OLSON ~ POLIS IS THIS

Charles Olson and the persistence of place
a film directed by Henry Ferrini




As Robin Blaser termed Charles Olson's life & work — it was "a moral project". This film complements that quest. The many participants include Jonathan Williams, Amiri Baraka, Blaser, Diane Di Prima, Anne Waldman, Ed Sanders, Chuck Stein, Robert Creeley, Susan Thackery, Michael Rumaker, John Sinclair, Gerrit Lansing, plus narration and thoughtful readings of Olson by John Malkovich, when not Olson himself. Also some prized Gloucester locals, one of the now grown up 'kids' from Maximus, Vincent Ferrini, and Pete Seeger patiently explaining how it may have been Charles Olson that put the bug into getting Woody Guthrie's Bound for Glory published. Olson's son Charlie shows up and wins me over. The sloppy sea side and strong-willed wooden buildings of Dogtown looks absolutely beautiful.

This is part one of six parts to a remarkable film. For more, please go to this website