Project
“THE EXCELLENT THEOPOLIS”
Feature Length Documentary
Location
Brooklyn, NY & Harleyville, SC
Collaborators
Starring Theopolis Coburn
Director and Cinematography by Josh Victor Rothstein
Edited by Jimmy Helton
Produced by Joshua Strauss
Executive Produced by Don Faller
Special Thanks Sintonio Williams and Aunt Dilsey
In The Excellent Theopolis, director Josh Victor Rothstein presents an intimate and deeply moving portrait of Theopolis Coburn, a charismatic Brooklyn street musician navigating homelessness, addiction, and a lifelong passion for the blues. Blending vérité filmmaking with experimental storytelling, the documentary follows Theo's remarkable journey toward reconciliation and self-discovery, culminating in an emotional family reunion shortly before his passing. More than a portrait of one extraordinary man, the film became a powerful tool for connection, embraced by NYC homeless shelters for screenings and discussions that inspired conversations about resilience, dignity, and the possibility of personal transformation.
