The Grand Illusion

A poignant documentary about acclaimed poet Ruth Stone and her transformative journey from grief to poetic brilliance.

Director Nora Jacobson’s inspiring movie introduces the audience to Ruth Stone and her work through intimate interviews, archival footage, and animation by granddaughter Bianca Stone, an accomplished poet and artist herself. Together they tell the story of a promising young poet who retreated to the margins of the literary world to support her daughters after her husband died unexpectedly by suicide. Living in rural Vermont, Ruth Stone worked tirelessly to provide for her children and transform her intense grief into poetry, using simple, startling language.

Nora Jacobson will be present for Q&As following each screening.

Sunday’s screening will be a benefit for Hugo House, a nonprofit literary arts organization that aims to open the literary world to everyone who loves books or has the drive to write.

“A tender, clear-eyed documentary that examines [Ruth Stone’s] enduring legacy as much as her eventful life. Twelve years in the making, Nora Jacobson’s affectionate portrait reveals a born poet and loving mother who inspired most everyone she met. That inspiration shows no signs of stopping.” Kathy Fennessy, Video Librarian Magazine

“[Director] Jacobson not only tells us who Ruth Stone was, but also why we should pay attention to her and her poetry… an artist we are fortunate to have brought from the edge of obscurity to enrich a world that desperately needs her voice.” Marilyn Ferdinand, Alliance of Women Film Journalists

Sponsored by Open Books: A Poem Emporium, who will be selling Ruth Stone’s books at each screening.