MARATHON

Feature Film Competition

Director Biju Viswanath

USA, 2010, 90 minutes, color

EXHIBITION PREMIERE: February 3, 2012

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SYNOPSIS:

MARATHON tells the true story of two poets, young and old who survive devastating illness through love, courage and endurance. 

CAST AND CREDITS:

Director: Biju Viswanath

Writers: Richard Harteis, Celia de Freine

Producer: Richard Harteis

Starring: Bristol Pomeroy, Alec Dana, Beth Campbell, Beverly Robinson, Donna Del Bueno

MARATHON

Feature Film Competition

Director Biju Viswanath, USA, 2010, 90 min, color

WATCH TRAILER  |  WATCH FULL FILM

OVERVIEW:

Based on a true story, MARATHON is a tale of courage, endurance, and finally, the triumph of love.

Director Biju Viswanath brings to life Richard Harteis' non-fiction work of the same title.

MARATHON explores the relationship between Richard Harteis and William Meredith, former US Poet Laureate and winner of virtually every major American award for poetry including the 1988 Pulitzer Prize.

In the 17th year of their friendship, William sustains a debilitating stroke. Richard stands by his partner, fighting for the right to care for him, despite the inevitable restrictions on his own life, and against the wishes of William's family. Though the path they have chosen is not an easy one, their love and compassion see them through days of illness, therapy, and healing.

The strength to overcome disability with dignity becomes a lesson in physical and spiritual endurance, hard won knowledge indeed. MARATHON displays the resolve, discipline and courage of two human beings running for their lives, qualities that can sustain us all in life's marathon. In this moving account, we see how two fellow runners have joined the course, and just how far our dreams can take us before we cross the finish line.

ABOUT RICHARD HARTEIS:

Richard Harteis is the author of five books of poetry and prose, as well as a memoir entitled MARATHON published by W.W. Norton in 1989 to critical acclaim. He has been a world traveler from years spent in the Peace Corps in Tunisia in the late 1960's to a recent year as Fulbright writer-in-residence at the American University in Bulgaria. For his work in Bulgarian culture, including an anthology of poetry he edited entitled WINDOW ON THE BLACK SEA, he was made a Bulgarian citizen by Presidential decree in 1996.

Mr. Harteis takes a particular interest in the Arab world from living in countries such as Morocco, Egypt and Lebanon. He has worked as a health practitioner in world capitols from Beirut to Bamaco to Beijing. Mr. Harteis has taught literature and creative writing at a number of institutions over the years such as The Catholic University of America, Creighton University and Connecticut College. He has received honors and awards for his work including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the D.C. Commission on the Arts, and the Ford Foundation.

His most recent publications include a novel, SAPPHIRE DAWN, a new and selected poems, PROVENCE, and the re-issue of a non-fiction work first published by W.W. Norton in 1989 entitled MARATHON. All three works are available through Vivisphere Books (www.Vivisphere.com).