Director Richard Ramson Discusses 'Bohemia: Life of a New York City Poet'

Director Richard Ramson Discusses 'Bohemia: Life of a New York City Poet'
The Director Reveals Why He Wanted to Chronicle Poets' Lifestyles


Director Richard Ramson is re-releasing his 2009 documentary 'Bohemia: Life of a New York City Poet' on DVD, in an effort to bring to light the pain struggling poets in the City that Never Sleeps face. Now available to rent or buy on Amazon, the R. Media Inc. film features interviews with several poets, who strive to reach more audiences. The poets also read their work to prove to viewers that they understand their pain. Among the things Ramson discusses are where he came up with the idea to make 'Bohemia: Life of a New York City Poet,' and why New York is a great place for poets to perform.

Written by: Karen Benardello


Question (Q): Where did you get the inspiration to make 'Bohemia: Life of a New York City Poet?'

Richard Ramson (RR): I saw a lot of people who started open mics, and built them from nothing. I saw a unique lifestyle within the poetry community a Bohemian lifestyle of writers in pain who lived what they wrote. Hence I saw an underground lifestyle that was opposite of what you saw in '‹Å"Def Poetry Jam.' I saw real people from all types who had something to say, and it was somewhat of an underworld, so I had to document this. With the help of Alan Baxter, Josh Meander, Tongo Eisen Martin, Franco Rosado, Evy Ivy and many others, many underground open mics and their talent welcomed me with open arms.

Q: Where in New York, and when, did you film the documentary?

RR: I started shooting in December 2007 and ended the whole production in 2009. We shot at places all over Manhattan, including Nuyorikan Caf©, KGB's , Bowery Poetry Club, Kairos, Nomads Choir and various places on the streets of New York, including Union Square and the Lower East Side.


To read the rest of this interview, please click here.