Thursday, November 17th, I was invited to a screening of a short film called: Robert Bly, A Thousand Years of Joy. Robert Bly is an American poet and political activist. His poetry is centered around challenging gender roles and stereotypes placed on men.
I really admire Bly's work because it sheds light on the awful truth that men have been taught to hide their emotions. Men think that they have to be tough and show no feelings of weakness while women, are taught to be emotional beings.
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In this film, I got to listen to readings of some of his best poems and see how his work has impacted creative people such as John Densmore. Densmore is best known for his role as the drummer for The Doors, but he is also a writer, actor, and poetry enthusiast.
After the screening, I had the opportunity to interview the director of this film, Haydn Reiss, alongside John Densmore who gave insightful commentary on Robert Bly's work. I only had a short time to ask questions but I am really pleased with the outcome of the interview.
How long did this film take to finish and what was the process like?
Reiss: "You could say it took 5 years, but it actually took 20 years, because 20 years ago I made my first film about Robert. It took 5 years to compile this film with the one I made 20 years ago."
Was it a stressful process?
Reiss: "It's always stressful. Be careful if you become a filmmaker because you're going to find yourself doing a lot of odd things. You have to be tough."
Densmore: "Any art is stressful but if you feel deep down, "Oh god, this is something I love and I gotta do it"...then there you go."
You're a multi instrumentalist, author, an advocate for civil rights and a poetry fan. So what does it all mean to you and what encourages you to make sure you take part in all of this?
Densmore: "I stay active because it feeds me. In my early days I saw John Coltrane all the time. Elvin Jones, his drummer was my idol and mentor, all these jazz musicians...they fed me. So in my mid life I started getting interested in writing and WOW, Robert Bly, he fed me and I got real involved. In fact, I remember one time he said: "You need a massage? Your back's aching? Don't got to a masseuse, write the poem first!"
For both of you, what inspires you in life and motivates you to engage in these creative projects?
Reiss: "Well like John just said, trying to pursue things that make a difference in my own life and be of some help to others and my children. At the end of the day, I try to be on the right side of the equation about bringing good or not."
John?
Densmore: "You guys. You guys inspire me. The youth have the passion and they have the dream to bring it forward, and we gotta stop shitting on the youth god dammit!"
What are your views on the country's elected president?
Reiss: "There was an election?"
"We will get through this. And I think that out of this election, a lot of creativity is going to be born. I think we're being forced to be creative."
John, you think so?
Densmore: "Yeah. There is a cloud over us. It's similar to my era which was the Vietnam war and there was a cloud over the country 24/7 for years. Now I see another one coming along here. But if we keep together and coalesce and feed each other with art and go out on the streets when we have to, we will hold his feet to the fire when bullshit comes down. We'll make it."
Reiss: "You know, MLK JR had this famous line: The arc of the moral universe is long and bends towards justice. And by long I think he means time. It's going to take time. It's taking time, but we are moving towards justice."
Densmore: "I really aspire to stay alive until we have a fucking woman as president. Amen!"
And with that memorable commentary, the interview came to an end. Thanks, Hadyn and John!
