In the late 60s, a filmmaker named Robert Blaisdell explored the lives of the artists of Big Sur in his film Big Sur: The Way It Was.
Over half a century later, local filmmaker Bob Franco is building on Blaisdell's legacy with his website BigSurStories.com. His short films offer a glimpse into the lives of the region's current artists, and the beauty, freedom and fury they encounter in Big Sur.
Bob Franco: [Big Sur: The Way It Was] was shown at the Carmel Film Festival to a packed house, and I realized there was great interest in that and that the current history was being lost. So I decided I would do what Blaisdell started and start interviewing artists that lived in Big Sur.
Lisa Ledin: Henry Miller is among those voices. Now, this is a vintage film, but this is what [Miller] had to say about Big Sur: "It kills off the weak, so to speak, only the strong survive, I think. "
Click the audio player at the top of this story to listen to the interview or read the highlights below. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Nepenthe restaurant founder Lolly Fassett's take on the fierceness of Big Sur:
"I think people come here with all kinds of ideas, but to actually make your dream or anything come true in Big Sur is quite a challenge. It's not easy, I think, for the outside to come in. I have a feeling that Big Sur sort of chooses its own in a strange sort of way."
Artist Jesse Hamilton on Big Sur wildlife:
"We have real wonderful visitations from vultures and condors. And they come over here and you'll hear their wings squeak, especially the condors. And they look at you with such grace. I mean, it's almost like they chose to come over here and sit and be with you for a while. And sometimes they'll stay for hours. The condors will just roost in the tree and hang out.
Artist Melissa Lofton on a fire in Big Sur that burned down her home some time ago:
"We had to leave suddenly. Within two hours, we had to leave. And I'd always had nightmares about seeing flames coming over the hill from the north. And sure enough, that's where it came from. But basically, it ate everything. Everything. Coming back a month later was really bizarre. I mean, it was heartbreaking, but also really interesting. And the things that happened and the generosity of people. And it was a total surprise. It was some kind of initiation in Big Sur to have your place burn.
Artist Jules Cochrane on the power of Big Sur:
"It's very powerful here. And I think that's another aspect a lot of people can't deal with. The power. Big Sur, for most people, at some level, they've been put here. And I'm here and been in Big Sur for 30 years. I can't believe it. It's wonderful. It just grabs me, sucks me in."
Local Filmmaker Bob Franco continues to document local artists' 'Big Sur Stories' on film at his website, www.bigsurstories.com
