| Polis is This | |
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Man is now either going to rediscover the Earth or is going to leave it... |
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| Directed by | Henry Ferrini |
| Produced by | Henry Ferrini |
| Editing by | Hank Nahamkin |
| Distributed by | Ferrini Productions, Inc. |
| Release date(s) | April 2007 |
| Running time | 56:48 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Polis is This: Charles Olson and the Persistence of Place (2007) is a documentary about the life of the poet Charles Olson produced and directed by independent film-maker, Henry Ferrini. [1] It was called “the best film about an American poet ever made” by William Corbett of the Boston Phoenix. [2] The film was also an Official Selection at the 2007 Berkeley Film and Video Festival. [3]
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‘’Polis is This’’ is a film that follows the life of the poet, Charles Olson, in the squared circle of understanding. Film-maker Henry Ferrini uses archival footage of Olson, as well as a great array of interview subjects, including actor John Malkovich to paint a beautiful picture of Olson and his life. Throughout the course of the film, Olson struggles to save Gloucester, Massachusetts, his home town, from progress, which in his opinion, was taking away the very essence of Gloucester. Henry Ferrini does a spectacular job of representing Olson, as he is a native of Gloucester himself, and feels the way Olson does about the issues of progress. Polis is This encourages viewers to appreciate where they come from and educates them about the extraordinary possibilities that exist in the ordinary things that exist around them in their daily lives.
Author Jim Harrison has called the film "sublime" and "simply stunning." Russell Banks has called the film "an invaluable contribution to our literature." [4]
The film, despite having a limited release, has received very positive reviews. The Boston Phoenix gave it 3.5 out of 4 stars, calling it “the best film about an American Poet ever made.” [5] Ken Hanke of Mountain Xpress gave the film 4 stars, saying it was “extraordinary.” [6]