Fear of Poetry

An improvisatory 40-minute foray into a fervent, formative period in the lives of poets such as Dennis Cooper, Benjamin Weissman, Amy Gerstler, and Bob Flanagan, who took part in Cooper’s famed Wednesday Night Poetry readings. Drawing on archival footage from those gatherings, including interviews and readings, Fear of Poetry presents a snapshot of Venice in the 1980s: a chorus of punks, poets, artists, and performers co-existing in a place where, according to Flanagan, “love is still possible.”

• Release date
• January 1, 1983
• Runtime
• 40 min
• Director
• Gail Kaszynski

Cast

Dennis Cooper Self

B

Bob Flanagan Self

B

Benjamin Weissman Self

A

Amy Gerstler Self

J

Jack Skelley Self

J

Jocelyn Fisher Self

S

Sherrie Levin Self

D

Debbie Patino Self