Two Years With Franz

This is Episode 1 of our new 4-part series, Nightwalking.   Bianca receives a call from a famous writer, Terry Tempest Williams, who suggests they do a project together. They plan to embark on a ritual — taking walks at night, and writing each other daily letters. Terry promises that this will bring them closer to God. Bianca has doubts. Music by: Ishmael Ensemble, John Caroll Kirby, and Elori Saxl.

Bianca walks the dark country roads of Vermont, while Terry walks the quiet Utah canyons. Through their letters they grow closer, though it’s still unclear how the letters will reveal the divine. Meanwhile, Bianca’s grandfather says the project is stupid. Bianca is stressed, until she unexpectedly meets a lover.   Music by: Greta Morgan, Peter Sandberg, Andy Mills, h hunt, Domenique Dumont, and Gideon Crevoshay.

Terry’s nightwalking ritual brings her closer to ecstasy. Bianca is still struggling. The moon continues to grow, until the final night of the project arrives. Terry is confident she will have a spiritual experience. Music by: The Westerlies, Greta Morgan, Lullatone, and Zubin Hensler.

In the final episode of the series, Bianca goes nightwalking in New York City and talks to strangers about God. She meets an exterminator, two lonely Russian men on a Tinder date, a bodega owner, a college student questioning her faith, and a costume designer mourning a lost lover, who seems to understand the whole project. Music by: Zubin Hensler, h hunt, and Sam Prekop.

The artist B. Wurtz reflects on what is boring, and a three decade relationship with his only belt. Featuring: socks, garbage, and Andy Warhol. 

Bianca spends two years listening to over 500 recordings made by the Pulitzer Prize winning poet Franz Wright. Featuring: a tape recorder, a cat named Robert, and a hatred for MFA programs. Produced with Jay Allison for the public radio website Transom.org.

A short reflection on a spool of thread. Featuring: the aforementioned spool of thread.

Nonfiction filmmaker Caveh Zahedi, creator of The Show About the Show, talks about how his relationship to God has changed over the course of his life. Featuring: mushroom trips, a metaphorical meat locker, and an earthworm.

Bianca goes looking for a stranger and meets Sophia, a school crossing guard. They spend six months together. Featuring: Sartre, twists, and organ music.