Podcast Summary: All Of It – "Videoheaven Memorializes the Video Store"
Release Date: July 23, 2025
Host: Kate Hines (in place of Alison Stewart)
Guests: Alex Ross Perry (Writer and Director of Video Heaven) and Clyde Foley (Editor of Video Heaven)
Introduction
In the July 23, 2025 episode of ALL OF IT on WNYC, host Kate Hines delves into the nostalgic and cultural significance of video rental stores through the lens of filmmaker Alex Ross Perry and editor Clyde Foley. The episode centers around their collaborative work, Video Heaven, a video essay that explores the history and cultural impact of video stores as depicted in films over the decades.
Guests' Background and Connection to Video Stores
Alex Ross Perry begins by recounting his personal journey with video stores.
“I got my start there as a customer... once I discovered it, I was there constantly haranguing the staff.” (01:47)
Perry moved to New York for film school at NYU and quickly became a regular at Kim's Video in the East Village. His persistent enthusiasm led Sean Williams, now an acclaimed cinematographer, to hire him on the sales floor. Working at Kim's, which boasted up to 60,000 tapes and DVDs, Perry immersed himself in a vibrant community of film enthusiasts and future filmmakers.
Clyde Foley shares his upbringing in Alaska, highlighting video stores as a lifeline to art and culture in a remote setting.
“Video stores are responsible for who I am today... responsible for making me the person I am in a very weird way.” (03:19)
Creation and Inspiration Behind Video Heaven
Perry discusses the inspiration for Video Heaven, emphasizing his love for the essay film format and drawing parallels with Tom Anderson's Los Angeles Plays Itself.
“I love the format of the essay film... I just said, Peanut Butter has now met Jelly and now we must make this movie.” (06:48)
The collaboration with Daniel Herbert, author of Video Movie Culture at the American Video Store, was pivotal. Herbert’s abandoned chapter on how video stores are portrayed in films seeded the conceptual foundation for Video Heaven. Concurrently, the restoration and re-release of Anderson's film further motivated Perry to embark on his three-hour-long exploration.
Clyde Foley became involved when Perry reached out during the summer of 2020, inviting him to edit the project.
“I've known Alex for basically the entire time that I've lived in New York... when summer of 2020 happened... I started.” (09:53)
Listener Stories and Anecdotes
Throughout the episode, Kate Hines invites listeners to share their own video store memories, enriching the discussion with personal anecdotes:
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Jay from Maplewood (10:37):
Reveals a memorable encounter with filmmaker John Waters at Kim's Video, highlighting the store's role as a cultural hotspot.“That could not have been written better in a screenplay.”
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David from Westchester (14:40):
Discusses his experience at Film Fest in New Haven, emphasizing the store's role as a community hub and its approach to curating films for diverse audiences.“We were more trying to find the right movie for the right people.”
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James from Plainfield (15:42):
Shares his role at Video to Go, likening himself to a "video doctor" who prescribes movies tailored to customers' emotional needs.“It's like a movie. It's a movie, you know, it's a video store. Chill.”
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Pam from Nassau County (19:31):
Offers a counterpoint by showcasing a resurgence in interest among younger generations, with her son enjoying visits to local video stores like Mr. Cheapos in COMAC.“There's a... resurgence in interest in... going to video stores and buying DVDs.”
Discussion on Video Stores in Modern Culture
Alex Ross Perry articulates the unique cultural footprint of video stores, particularly in their depiction in films and television over the past three decades. He contrasts this with the decline of video stores, unlike bookstores and music stores, which have managed to survive despite the rise of digital media.
“It's not a coincidence that this space was over indexed in the cultural imagination and is the one pillar of physical media retail that 99% went away.” (22:43)
Perry emphasizes that while other physical media stores have adapted or persisted, video stores have largely vanished, leaving a notable gap in cultural representation.
Clyde Foley reflects on the human element of film recommendation, contrasting it with algorithm-driven methods.
“I operate purely on the human level at this point... I want to know what people have been watching and what they're into.” (17:58)
He highlights the loss of personal connection and tailored recommendations that video store clerks provided, which algorithms often fail to replicate.
Insights and Conclusions
The episode underscores the role of video stores as more than just retail spaces; they were communal hubs that fostered connections among cinephiles, facilitated discoveries of diverse films, and played a significant role in the cultural fabric of communities. The decline of video stores signifies not just a shift in media consumption but also the loss of these vibrant social spaces.
Clyde Foley hopes that Video Heaven will evoke nostalgia and appreciation for the history of video stores.
“I want them to take away what it is like to experience the entire history of video stores... it's like watching an old friend die.” (23:59)
Alex Ross Perry concludes by inviting listeners to experience the film firsthand at a special screening, emphasizing the preservation and accessibility of Kim's Video collection.
“Video Heaven” will be screening on August 12th at Alamo Drafthouse, Lower Manhattan... available to rent for free to the public.” (24:47)
Final Thoughts
The episode beautifully captures the essence of video stores through personal stories, expert insights, and the creative vision behind Video Heaven. It serves as a heartfelt tribute to a bygone era, celebrating the communal and cultural significance of video rental stores while lamenting their disappearance in the digital age.
Upcoming Screening Announcement:
Video Heaven will have a special screening on August 12th at Alamo Drafthouse in Lower Manhattan, featuring a Q&A session with director Alex Ross Perry.
Stay tuned to ALL OF IT for more engaging discussions and cultural explorations.