May Sarton
Writing
Known For
An artist returns to Santorini, where she spent her childhood, to face the ghosts of her past and her present.
The Steps
Commissioned by the U.S. Office of War Information, this short film features conductor Arturo Toscanini leading the NBC Symphony Orchestra, tenor Jan Peerce, and the Westminster Choir in Verdi’s Inno delle nazioni. Originally composed in the 1860s as a musical tribute to Europe, Toscanini expanded the score to include The Star-Spangled Banner and The Internationale in honor of the Allied struggle and Italian partisans. Filmed in NBC’s Studio 8H, the documentary interweaves performance with scenes of Toscanini at home, emphasizing his anti-fascist stance and celebrating the liberation of Italy. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2010.
Hymn of the Nations
Filmed on location on the coast of Maine, follows this New England poetess and novelist through her day's activities as she examines her life and works. Sarton discusses her creative process, her experiences and views on solitude, aging, the woman writer, discipline, integrity, and relationships. She also reads from her poetry and novels