THE
BALLAD OF GREENWICH VILLAGE is a 70 minute documentary
that tells the story of the artists, rebels, and bohemians who came to
New York’s Greenwich Village over many decades, and changed the
face of American culture through their art and politics.
The
film portrays important political and social movements that started in
Greenwich Village - such as the first interracial jazz club, the earliest
Socialist newspapers from before World War I, and the Stonewall rebellion
that sparked gay liberation.
THE BALLAD OF GREENWICH VILLAGE
also interweaves on-camera stories from well-known celebrities who got
their start in Greenwich Village. Actor/director Tim Robbins speaks about
growing up in the Village and going
to early
protest rallies. Beat poet Allen Ginsberg
shows us the coffee house where he
first read poetry. Playwright Edward Albee relates stories of how his
controversial plays found a venue here. Other stories are told by poet
Maya Angelou, author Norman Mailer, jazz drummer Roy Haynes, and folk
singers Peter, Paul, & Mary, Judy Collins, and Richie Havens - as
well as local Village painters, drag queens, activists, and club owners.
Actress Lili Taylor is the narrator.
Interweaving
past and present, and combining 16mm footage, archival photographs, Hollywood
movies, cartoons, stories from people living and dead, famous and obscure
– and with a soundtrack ranging from ragtime to bebop to folk music–
the film is a celebration of what was America’s true bohemia.