“The Excellent Theopolis”

Rothstein’s first feature length documentary film, "The Excellent Theopolis," highlights the life and times of legendary street musician Theopolis Coburn. A 65 minute experimental and verite style portrait, the film chronicles this 72 year old eccentric and dynamic bluesman as he shares his life story as singer, struggling with substance abuse and homelessness. In addition to opening up and sharing stories from his past, the documentary conveys an intimate and highly compassionate look at Theo’s vibrant life in Brownsville Brooklyn and eventually his efforts to mend fences at an emotional family reunion in Harleyville South Carolina. Tragically Theo died soon after returning home to New York and, as a result, the film became a post humous autobiography of this beautiful and complicated man. Fittingly, given Theo’s unique life journey, the distribution of the film took on an untraditional path as it was embraced by social workers within the NYC homeless community as a way of sparking conversation and self exploration. Rothstein participated in screenings and Q&A discussions in homeless shelters throughout NYC for several years and remains very proud of the positive impact that the film, and Theo's legacy of self improvement and self esteem had on individuals struggling with hardships in their own lives.

See below for Sample Reel clip. Full length version available upon request.