Killer Poet: The Double Life of Norman Porter [2008]
Special Guest: Director Susan Gray
Tuesday, October 6 @ 7PM
Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center
246 Market Street, Lowell
Free admission
The Chicago poetry world was dramatically affected by the discovery and eventual arrest in 2005 of one of their [seemingly] renowned poets, J.J. Jameson. In actuality, Jameson was a double-murderer serving two consecutive life sentences and was on the lam from authorities in Massachusetts for these two brutal crimes.
Porter’s story made headlines in 2005, and is recounted in Susan Gray’s controversial documentary film Killer Poet: The Double Life of Norman Porter.
Peruse the web and you’ll find a myriad of articles, blogs, and news items tackling Porter’s story and the two lives he lived, one as a homicidal recluse in Massachusetts, the other as Jameson, Chicago poet extraordinaire. The film presents both sides of the story. But as director Susan Gray confesses, both chapters of Porter’s lives are in continual combat. For example, a group called “The Friends of Norman A. Porter” are avid supporters (Porter is up for parole in 2010), while others — including Chicago poet C.J. Laity — remain staunch in their hatred of Porter, the crimes he committed, and the people he duped and betrayed while living as Jameson in Chicago.
As it did for two film screenings in 2008, The Lowell Film Collaborative is partnering with Moses Greeley Parker Lectures to present this event which will be marked by a guest appearance by Killer Poet‘s director Susan Gray, with possibilities of other guests which may include members of the Department of Corrections and those who personally knew Porter. The Norman Porter case is polarized and is still rocking two communities — does Porter deserve a second (or third) chance at freedom? Does redemption exist within the prison system? IS Norman Porter ready for release in 2010? Killer Poet leaves these questions for each of to answer, within.
lowellfilmcollaborativema.org 