Benjamin Smoke (Dol)

Benjamin Smoke (Dol)


Starring:Benjamin Dickerson, Tim Campion, Brian Halloran, Coleman Lewis, Bill Taft, Patti Smith, Blondie Strange, Deacon Lunchbox
Director: Peter Sillen, Jem Cohen
Studio: Plexifilm
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
In life, the late Atlanta musician known as Benjamin (née Robert Dickerson) was a jumble of identities--singer, Patti Smith fan, drag queen, drug addict, and wry raconteur. The story of the 10 years before his 1999 death from complications due to HIV makes for an engrossing viewing experience for indie-minded film fans. Directors Jem Cohen (the Fugazi documentary Instrument) and Peter Sillen (Speed Racer) capture this eccentric figure in glimpses of 16mm and Super 8 as he philosophizes and performs with his bands, the Opal Foxx and, later, Smoke. The film's tone turns bleak as Benjamin's health begins to deteriorate, but his resilient nature, and a moving appearance by Smith that provides a coda for his life, brings a bittersweet finale in this fascinating portrait of a deep dreamer. Plexifilm's full-frame DVD includes an extra 40 minutes of outtakes and performances, including affecting covers of Benjamin's songs by musicians Cat Power and Vic Chestnutt. --Paul Gaita
Description
Filmmakers Jem Cohen ("Fugazi:Instrument") and Peter Sillen ("Speed Racer: Welcome to World of Vic Chesnutt") made BENJAMIN SMOKE over the course of ten years. It follows the crooked path of "Benjamin" (no last name), an underground musician, speed-freak, occasional drag-queen, and all-around renegade living in the hidden Georgia neighborhood called "Cabbagetown," and playing in an indescribable band called Smoke. The film includes a special appearance by Patti Smith and photographs by Michael Ackerman.
Benjamin Smoke
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • rings
  • Gone but not forgotten
 Benjamin Smoke
Starring: Benjamin Dickerson , Tim Campion , Brian Halloran , Coleman Lewis , and Bill Taft
Director: Jem Cohen , and Peter Sillen
Manufacturer: Plexifilm
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

BiographyBiography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video
Gay & LesbianGay & Lesbian | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video
DocumentaryDocumentary | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $9.99DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( B )( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
Similar Items:
  1. Another Reason to Fast
  2. Heaven on a Popsicle Stick
  3. The Devil and Daniel Johnston
  4. In the Realms of the Unreal - The Mystery of Henry Darger
  5. Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man

ASIN: B00007KK2I
Release Date: 2003-01-21

Amazon.com

In life, the late Atlanta musician known as Benjamin (née Robert Dickerson) was a jumble of identities--singer, Patti Smith fan, drag queen, drug addict, and wry raconteur. The story of the 10 years before his 1999 death from complications due to HIV makes for an engrossing viewing experience for indie-minded film fans. Directors Jem Cohen (the Fugazi documentary Instrument) and Peter Sillen (Speed Racer) capture this eccentric figure in glimpses of 16mm and Super 8 as he philosophizes and performs with his bands, the Opal Foxx and, later, Smoke. The film's tone turns bleak as Benjamin's health begins to deteriorate, but his resilient nature, and a moving appearance by Smith that provides a coda for his life, brings a bittersweet finale in this fascinating portrait of a deep dreamer. Plexifilm's full-frame DVD includes an extra 40 minutes of outtakes and performances, including affecting covers of Benjamin's songs by musicians Cat Power and Vic Chestnutt. --Paul Gaita

Description

Filmmakers Jem Cohen ("Fugazi:Instrument") and Peter Sillen ("Speed Racer: Welcome to World of Vic Chesnutt") made BENJAMIN SMOKE over the course of ten years. It follows the crooked path of "Benjamin" (no last name), an underground musician, speed-freak, occasional drag-queen, and all-around renegade living in the hidden Georgia neighborhood called "Cabbagetown," and playing in an indescribable band called Smoke. The film includes a special appearance by Patti Smith and photographs by Michael Ackerman.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars rings.......2003-12-20

The last thing Benjamin'd want is for some sycophant to "justify" his life. Jem Cohen does as is his want in evoking the life of a true elysian navigator: pastels, washes, cinematic perfumes. Throughout it all Benjamin riffs; his grit betraying a lucidity that many choose to ignore.

5 out of 5 stars Gone but not forgotten.......2003-01-31

If this is your first exposure to Benjamin and the music of Smoke, you might find his openess and life unsettling, but given a chance this drug-gobbling, dress-wearing poet will take up residence in your soul. This film captures, probably as well as is possible, the amazingly unique man that was Benjamin. While the film shows us tragic times, it isn't a tragedy. Instead, it's the story of a brave--and strange-- heart, who just didn't fit into the "real" world. Our loss.

DVD:

  1. The World of American Indian Dance
  2. Indonesian Odyssey 2pk
  3. Wildlife on Prowl (6pc)
  4. Secrets of War - Bold Strikes
  5. The Eyes of Tammy Faye
  6. Mein Krieg - My Private War
  7. Hitler and the Nazis
  8. Chisholm '72 - Unbought & Unbossed
  9. Science and the Swastika
  10. Jack the Ripper

DVD

DVD

DVD

Belly

Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed

They Got Me Covered (REGION 1) (NTSC)

DVD: Make Way for the Ping Pong Club

The Cure - Trilogy: Live in Berlin