You don't have to be a fan of rock music to be a fan of Patti Smith. The woman is an artist in every sense of the word, as she's been a consistent force of music, activism and poetry since the 1970s. The Linster wrote about her new film back in February, but it finally has gotten a release date set.

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I used to be in a lesbian chorus that had a gay male director. One evening before rehearsal, this incredibly talented Doctor of Music excitedly reported that he'd discovered a female singer that he thought we'd love: Patti Smith. I hope our collective inner "duhs" didn't register on our faces. How could a person whose life work is music not know one of its pioneers?

Granted, Smith took a hiatus through most of the '80s to be a mom. But a new documentary, Patti Smith: Dream of Life, that premiered at Sundance earlier this year, at least will give people who don't know her a chance to catch up. The intimate, 16mm documentary, shot mostly in black and white, was made over the past 12 years. Even the trailer reflects Smith's intense and personal approach to her music.

In the film, Smith pays tribute to the artists who influenced her life and work over the years, from William Burroughs to Bob Dylan to Jim Morrison. She had a close friendship — maybe more — with Robert Mapplethorpe and credits him with encouraging her at the beginning of her career. … continue reading