Late Fame film explores the rediscovery of a forgotten poet

Kent Jones’s film ‘Late Fame’ explores the life of Ed Saxberger, played by Willem Dafoe, a former figure in the New York poetry scene who has lived in obscurity for decades. After the publication of his single volume of verse, Saxberger transitioned into a quiet life working at a post office.

The narrative follows Saxberger as he is approached by Myers, a young admirer who hails him as a forgotten literary genius. Myers introduces Saxberger to a group of nostalgic young aesthetes who seek inspiration from his out-of-print work. The film depicts Saxberger’s struggle with this sudden recognition as he is pressured to compose new poetry and participate in a modern ‘happening’ amidst the changing landscape of Manhattan.