Mary Maclane, one of America’s greatest (and under-celebrated) writers died on this day, in 1929. At the age of 19 years, she published her memoir, a searing and poetic document of desire in an age before suffrage, and way before the notion of gay/lesbian/bisexual rights.
The year was 1902 when her book was published and she lived in Butte, Montana, a small town then where she lived among a number of people who could possibly be affected by this publication. She wrote of falling in love with another woman, she wrote of stealing, of suicide, she wrote of the Devil, of the pleasures of eating an olive. Hers was a book that challenged the entirety of society, one that she seemed to wish to join and be a part of as much as she had contempt for. Reading her book changed my life. Sadly, this great American work has had trouble staying in print. This will change soon with an immense work of love by Petarcha Press. Today, as homage, I will post a short film I made some years back. The text is read by Susanne Sachsse and is written by Mary Maclane. Heidi Follin plays our heroine. Music by John Blue and myself.
Mary MacLane was the Patti Smith of the 1910s. She was incredibly ahead of her time. Thanks for this short film.
ReplyDeleteThanks, recently found the 12 rolls of super 8, so a newer version might be coming.
ReplyDeleteWow. I want to read her memoir and see more of your film Tim.
ReplyDelete