The documentary Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World has begun screening in Los Angeles after opening in New York. Directed by Sasha Waters, the film traces the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet's life from childhood abuse to her years in Provincetown with partner Molly Malone Cook.
The film follows Oliver's path from relative obscurity to celebrity status after her 1984 Pulitzer win. She gained a wide following among figures such as Oprah Winfrey and Stephen Colbert, who appeared in the documentary along with Helena Bonham Carter and Steve Buscemi to read from poems including "Wild Geese" and "The Summer Day."
Sasha Waters discussed the project on the Doc Talk podcast. She explained the challenges of filming a writer's solitary work and the decision to include comedian John Waters, whose contrasting view of nature adds contrast to Oliver's love of the natural world.
The subtitle Saved by the Beauty of the World comes from words spoken by the poet herself. The film is expanding to additional cities through distributor Kino Lorber.