New York, Dec 27 (UNI) Amos Poe, the filmmaker whose camera chronicled the unruly birth of New York’s punk movement died aged 76 on Christmas Day after a prolific battle with cancer.
The news was confirmed by his wife, Claudia Summers, who said Poe passed away peacefully in the afternoon, surrounded by family. Diagnosed with advanced colon cancer in 2022, he had been undergoing treatment for several years, during which Summers kept followers informed about his health.
Poe, who was born in Tel Aviv in September 1949, got his start directing the music short film ‘Night Lunch with Roxy Music and David Bowie’. His second film, ‘The Blank Generation’, was co-directed with guitarist Ivan Král, capturing the punk rock scene in New York. Rolling Stone ranked the 1976 film as one of the 25 greatest punk rock movies of all time.
The review called The Blank Generation “a home movie of the moment, with bands hanging out, palling around and occasionally playing, albeit without sync sound- which just makes it more punk.” The film featured stars such as Patti Smith, Talking Heads, and Wayne County, reports The Rolling Stone.
The New York Times reported in 2020 that the director had lost ownership of the film following a dispute with Král and a lawsuit over licensing fees. “I’m trying to be grown up about it,” Poe told the Times. “But they’re trying to rewrite history.” The film was reedited and Poe’s name was removed.
Among the additional movies in his filmography are ‘Unmade Beds’ in 1976, ‘TV Party’ in 1978, ‘Frogs for Snakes’ in 1998, and ‘Ladies & Gentlemen’ in 2015. Poe was also in charge of several music videos for artists such as Anthrax and Run-DMC.
