She remains the most famous woman poet of the Beat Generation; her friend Allen Ginsberg called her “heroic in life and poetics.” THE POETRY DEAL is an impressionistic documentary about legendary poet Diane di Prima. Still actively writing in her late 70s in San Francisco, where she is poet laureate, di Prima is fierce, funny and philosophical. She is a pioneer who broke boundaries of class and gender to publish her writing, and THE POETRY DEAL opens a window looking back through more than 50 years of poetry, activism, and cultural change, providing a unique women’s perspective of the Beat movement. Much of the story is told through di Prima’s recorded readings, including a deeply moving reading of her unpublished poem The Poetry Deal, reflecting on her relationship with her art. Essential for women’s studies, poetry studies, women’s history courses and more, THE POETRY DEAL puts di Prima’s life and work on screen in a unique, beautiful portrait using rare archival footage, impressionistic scenes and powerful stories told by friends and colleagues.
"In just 27 minutes, The Poetry Deal brings into clear view the strong determination and e’lan vital of this remarkable poet." Ingrid Swanberg Feminist Collections
“[V]isually powerful and provocative, and a tribute to this unique poet’s transformative alchemy as thinker, visionary, and trail-blazer. I highly recommend this documentary to literary scholars, students, writers and anyone interested in the culture of these complicated times.” Anne Waldman, Poet Co-founder, Distinguished Prof, Jack Kerouac School, Naropa Univ.
“The film is a visual poem -- a great way to experience DiPrima direct." Bob Holman, Bowery Poetry Club Endangered Language Alliance Visiting Professor of Writing
Citation
Main credits
Di Prima, Diane (on-screen participant)
La Rosa, Melanie (film director)
La Rosa, Melanie (film producer)
La Rosa, Melanie (screenwriter)
La Rosa, Melanie (director of photography)
La Rosa, Melanie (editor of moving image work)
Other credits
Camera, Andres Otero; Super8/16mm cinematography, Melanie La Rosa; editors, Melissa B. Hacker, Melanie La Rosa; original music, S. "Strafe" Standard.