We are excited to share a new film about iconic American poet, Ruth Stone. The film, Ruth Stone’s Vast Library of the Female Mind, will be available starting Sunday, April 2, until April 9. The purpose of the weeklong screening is to acquaint people with Ruth Stone’s work, if they don’t already know it, and to help defray outreach and distribution costs of the film.
The film combines intimate footage of Ruth at various times in her life, handmade animation by Ruth’s granddaughter, poet Bianca Stone, members of her family, and vivid interviews with many other poets including Toi Derricotte, Chard DeNiord, Sharon Olds, Major Jackson, Sandra Gilbert, Jan Freeman, Verandah Porche, and others.
The film’s director, Nora Jacobson, spent thirteen years making the film. She started in 2009 when Ruth was ninety-four years old. Though the prospect of making a film about a poet was daunting, Jacobson felt lucky to receive a treasure trove of archival material of Ruth shot by Sidney Wolinsky, in 1973. It shows Ruth visiting with students, playing the poetry game and reciting poetry at her home in Goshen, Vermont. Other visual elements, in addition to the animation, include the co-star of the film––Ruth’s home in Goshen–– as it is transformed by Ruth’s grandchildren into a vibrant poetry center for years to come. Find more at ruthstonehouse.org.
We hope you enjoy the film and will join our Q&A on Zoom, Thursday, April 6, at 7pm.
Thanks to the Academy of American Poets for helping us promote this event.