Directed by historian Thomas Antonic, Ruth Weiss, One More Step West Is the Sea is a 2021 documentary about the incredible life of the pioneering artist and jazz poet Ruth Weiss whose family fled to the US in 1938 to escape the Nazis, where she would settle and become one of the true greats of the Beat movement. Often overlooked in favour of the male Beat poets of the time, like Kerouac, Ferlinghetti and Ginsberg she nevertheless was an important figure, who has begun to receive greater recognition in the last twenty to thirty years. Here we have a recent region-free DVD release of the film on IndiePix Unlimited. " />

Directed by historian Thomas Antonic, Ruth Weiss, One More Step West Is the Sea is a 2021 documentary about the incredible life of the pioneering artist and jazz poet Ruth Weiss whose family fled to the US in 1938 to escape the Nazis, where she would settle and become one of the true greats of the Beat movement. Often overlooked in favour of the male Beat poets of the time, like Kerouac, Ferlinghetti and Ginsberg she nevertheless was an important figure, who has begun to receive greater recognition in the last twenty to thirty years. Here we have a recent region-free DVD release of the film on IndiePix Unlimited.

The movie charts her life from her humble beginnings in pre-war Berlin and Vienna, to her move to America and her rise to prominence on the Beat scene during the 1950s and 60s as one of the finest jazz-poet-performers of her generation, right through to her later life in which she continued to perform on stage and live the bohemian lifestyle she always believed in. This documentary attempts to get beneath her skin and show us the real Ruth Weiss through the use of images and interviews that collectively and methodically build a picture of the ground-breaking artist she has always been throughout her career. Much of the documentary was filmed around her 90th birthday celebrations, with interviews and live performances intertwining to give us a glimpse of this anti-establishment nonagenarian, sporting blue/green hair and a revolutionary attitude that most women of her age couldn’t muster. The film is packed with stories of her times working alongside the likes of Kerouac and how, when they were young, they would stay up all night writing poetry together. It’s also really interesting to see Antonic focus the camera on the room around her during their chats. This allows us as viewers, a glimpse into her world, to see the literature, films, and art that she loves. It is also fascinating to see her undying love for the art of others as well as her own creativity. 

Whilst this is Antonic’s debut feature-length debut, he has written extensively on the arts movement that has become popularly known as the Beat Generation and is a poet of some note himself. In this lovingly crafted paean to a performer who has dedicated her life to her art, he has uncovered the spirit of who she is. An unorthodox, talent who should be recognised for her incredible dedication to her art and her ever-growing reputation as a woman who has defied patriarchal attitudes to become one of the most revered names among the Beat poets. This is a remarkable piece of film, that delves deep into the life and times of Ruth Weiss, teaching us about her attitudes, influences and her dedication to her art and the art of others. This must be one of the finest documentaries on the poets of the Beat Generation and is highly recommended for fans of the genre as well as fans of poetry and art in general, and possibly even more importantly those interested in learning more about a true feminist icon.