ruth weiss, the beat goddess is an electrifying Emmy Award-Winning documentary about one of the influential writers of the Beat Generation who empowered the world of poetry to jazz and art.
In a life that has spanned 92 creative years, ruth weiss is one of the influential writers of the Beat Generation. Born to a Jewish family during the rise of Nazism, as a 10-year-old refugee, she escaped to the United States. ruth became a Jazz troubadour exemplifying the zeitgeist of Chicago, New Orleans, and San Francisco. The film further highlights ruth weiss' electrifying and intimate poetry with breathtaking images of exquisite modern dance, art, animation, and music to embody her oeuvre. This film documents not only weiss' gift to humanity but archives significant historical moments in our world's social and literary movements. As a contemporary of Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Jack Kerouac, she innovated poetry to jazz.
Melody C. Miller is an Emmy-winning filmmaker and cinematographer known for impactful storytelling in socially relevant documentaries. Her acclaimed films, California’s Forgotten Children and ruth weiss, the beat goddess, have inspired audiences globally, with the latter earning an Emmy for Best Historical and Cultural Documentary. Currently, she is directing Thriv(h)er, her third feature, exploring the complex journey of young cancer survivors navigating motherhood. A UCLA Film School graduate, Melody has also directed branded content for Samsung and worked as director of photography for top media outlets, including HBO MAX, PBS, and ESPN. Her work reflects a commitment to sparking important conversations and positive change.
Emmy Award - Best Historical and Cultural Documentary - 2023
Executive Producer - Elisabeth Montgomery
Associate Producer - Jerry Heverly
Interviewee - Daniel Nicoletta
Interviewee - Brenda Knight
Interviewee - Jerry Cimino
