Pop Culture’s Most Famous New York City Hotel, The Hotel Chelsea Has Its Story Told In New Documentary ‘Ghosts Of The Chelsea Hotel’

The new Chip Baker film, “Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (and Other Rock & Roll Stories)“, directed by Filmmaker Danny Garcia will have theatrical screenings across the globe. The American theatrical debut is set for a pair of New York City screenings at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and are almost sold out. (See below for a list of worldwide screenings)

With early buzz on the film in full swing, “Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (and Other Rock & Roll Stories)” is a fascinating and insightful look at one of the most iconic and legendary buildings in New York City, and the creative spirits who have called it home over the years. This quintessential pop culture documentary recently world-premiered at Dock of the Bay Film Festival in San Sebastián Spain to acclaim where it was nominated for Best Documentary Feature Film.

“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 hotel gets its due in this smart and creative film as a place where anything could happen, where creativity thrived and where people from all walks of life came together in a chaotic and vibrant community. Thanks to its dedicated owners, the late Stanley Bard and his son David, the creative spirit of the Chelsea was fostered making it the unique creative haven that it became.

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.

Long time current residents including Man-Laï Liang; Tim Sullivan; Susan Kleinsinger; Colleen Weinstein; Dahlia Weinstein and Zev Greenfield tell heart stopping stories about the ghost sightings and other supernatural occurrences that frequently occur in the halls of 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.”

All the stories and the people telling them share a deep connection and respect for the building’s history which has long been known as a hub for artistic and bohemian culture.

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.”

This quintessential NYC structure was the creative seat for the artistic lives of people such as singer/songwriter and author, Patti Smith, photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, author and provocateur William Burroughs, artist and pop culture inventor Andy Warhol, actor and performance artist Quentin Crisp, singer Nico and the late Ramones member Dee Dee Ramone.

What isn’t as well known and the filmmakers smartly delve into, is that 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.

SCREENINGS

All currently scheduled screening dates, locations and ticket purchase links for “Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (And Other Rock & Roll Stories)” are listed below, with more being planned.

>New York City, Sept. 5th & 11th @ Joe’s Pub

https://publictheater.org/productions/joes-pub/2023/g/ghosts-of-the-chelsea-hotel

>Seattle, WA, Sept. 5th @ The Crocodile

https://www.ticketweb.com/event/ghosts-of-the-chelsea-hotel-here-after-tickets/13470588?pl=crocodile

>Düsseldorf, Germany, Sept. 6th @ Metropol

https://filmkunstkinos.de/filme/ghosts-of-the-chelsea-hotel/?preview_id=30076&preview_nonce=24b0d111e2&preview=true

>Arlington, MA, Sept. 7th @ The Regent Theatre

https://regenttheatre.csstix.com/event-details.php?e=145

>Dallas, TX, Sept. 7th @ The Texas Theatre

https://thetexastheatre.com/film/ghosts-of-the-chelsea-hotel-and-other-rock-roll-stories/

>San Francisco, Sept. 7th @ Balboa Theatre

https://ticketing.uswest.veezi.com/purchase/10587?siteToken=52wkfzmjpwjjfpz3ye7tz8wscg