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SPIRITUS: No Business like Dough Business

This film delves into the rich history of the oldest family-run business in Provincetown, Massachusetts, SPIRITUS Pizza and Ice Cream. It highlights the challenges and resistance faced by the business, the queer community, and the AIDS crisis, all against the backdrop of the conservative Puritanical attitudes in the town during the 1970s and 1980s.

  • Michael S. Koehler
    Director
  • Michael S. Koehler
    Writer
  • John Yingling
    Producer
  • Michael S. Koehler
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 3 minutes 27 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 1, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Michael S. Koehler

Michael was born and raised in Babylon, NY, attended college at Rochester Institute of Technology for photography. This is Michaels 1st film as director, producer, writer and director of photography. After 25 years as a transient photographer, from New York City to Cape Cod and New Orleans, Michael found the right subject and story he wanted to tell in his first full-feature film, SPIRITUS Pizza and Ice Cream in Provincetown, MA. Michael plans to return to Cape Cod this Summer to turn his lens on the oyster farmers of Wellfleet, MA. His main career goal is to direct a feature film for a major production company.

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Director Statement

After spending 13 summers in Provincetown, Massachusetts, I have developed a profound appreciation for Spiritus Pizza and the diverse group of individuals who work there. Nestled within a predominantly queer community, both Spiritus Pizza and the local queer community have faced challenges from town officials and residents. When it was time to embark on my first documentary film, I recognized that Spiritus Pizza was the ideal subject for my research and storytelling. It stands as a vibrant epicenter of activity in Provincetown, and I felt a strong urge to capture and document its unique narrative.