BALLAD OF GREENWICH VILLAGE

A film by Karen Kramer / Narrated by Lili Taylor

The artists, rebels, and bohemians who came to New York's Greenwich Village over many decades changed the face of American culture through their art and politics. This film portrays the important political and social movements that began in the Village: the first interracial jazz club, the earliest Socialist newspapers from before World War I, the Stonewall Rebellion which sparked the Gay Liberation movement and many others.

This unique film includes anecdotes from many famous writers, musicians and performers who got their start in the Village. Actor/ director Tim Robbins speaks about growing up in the Village and attending early protest rallies. Allen Ginsberg shows us the coffee house where he first read poetry. Playwright Edward Albee remembers how his controversial plays found a home here. Also appearing in the film are film director Woody Allen, poet Maya Angelou, author Norman Mailer, folk singers Peter, Paul & Mary, Judy Collins, Richie Havens and jazz drummer Roy Haynes -- as well as local Village painters, activists, club owners and drag queens. The Ballad of Greenwich Village interweaves past and present, with 16mm footage, archival photographs, Hollywood movies, cartoons, informative interviews and scenes of contemporary village life. Accompanied by a lively soundtrack that ranges from ragtime to bebop to folk music, the film celebrates what was America's first bohemia. A valuable addition for film collections in American literature and theatre, and urban studies.

70 min. Sale $325. Rental $100.

"Greenwich Village has wider importance. The film also has lots of faces in it you'll recognize". Library Journal

Black Maria Film Festival, 2008