Documentary Cinema, New Cinema
(and other Rock and Roll Stories)
Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (and Other Rock & Roll Stories)” explores the rich history, cultural significance and otherworldly occurrences of the famous Hotel Chelsea in New York City.
The film features interviews with past and present residents, including artists, musicians, writers, and other creative individuals. Some famous faces tell tales of their time in the hotel along with the riveting stories from the eclectic folks who still reside in this legendary and haunted building.
Actor, Writer, Musician and former resident Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos, Law & Order, The White Lotus); Author Sherill Tippins (Inside the Dream Palace, The Life and Times of New York’s Legendary Chelsea Hotel); Actors Ned Van Zandt and Victor Colicchio; Musicians; Harley Flanagan (Stimulators/Cro-Mags); Richard Barone (The Bongos); Cynthia Ross (B-Girls); the late Howie Pyro (D Generation); Warhol Superstar Ruby Lynn Reyner; Photographer Marcia Resnick; and many others give first hand accounts of their time at the hotel.
The film touches on the controversies and tragedies that have occurred at The Chelsea, including the mysterious death of Nancy Spungen, girlfriend of Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious, who called the Chelsea Hotel “an artistic tornado of death and destruction and love and broken dreams.”
The film explores the hotel’s role in the cultural and artistic movements of the 20th century, from the Beat Generation to the Punk Rock scene and includes historical footage and personal photographs of the regulars. Most of the interviews were shot in the hotel creating the feeling of “being there.”
The Chelsea was built in the late 19th century and from its inception, served as a home and gathering place for some of the most influential artists and cultural icons of the past century including Mark Twain, Dylan Thomas, O Henry, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Jack Kerouac, Thomas Wolfe as well as the often overlooked connection to the Titanic sinking.
The late Andy Warhol talked about the hotel’s unique energy and how it inspired his art; describing it as “a glamorous vortex of artists, celebrities, and eccentrics.” Warhol himself was a regular fixture at the hotel’s infamous parties and events.
The musical soundtrack was composed and performed by Cat Casual and the Final Word.
