Directed by: Michael S. Koehler
Produced by: John Yingling and Michael S. Koehler
63 minutes

Watch the Discussion

This film explores the rich history of one of the oldest family-run business in Provincetown, Massachusetts, SPIRITUS Pizza and Ice Cream. It highlights the challenges 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.

SPIRITUS Trailer

Credits
Director, Writer, Cinematographer: Michael S. Koehler
Editor: Jason Shevchuk
Post Production Associate: Elliott Eustis
Producers: John Yingling, Michael S. Koehler
Sound Design: Ken Meyer
Camera Operator: Steve Bauza
Archival Film Footage: Frank Crivelli, Gus Curran, Seth Rolbein
Still Photographer: Rob Van Fleet

Director’s Statement
Having lived in Provincetown, Massachusetts for thirteen summers, Michael developed an appreciation for Spiritus Pizza and the diverse group of individuals who work there. Situated in the heart of a predominantly queer community, both Spiritus Pizza and the local queer community have faced challenges from town officials and residents. In spite of that, Spiritus has remained a vibrant epicenter of activity, resilience, and deep-rooted history in Provincetown.
When it was time for Michael to embark on his debut documentary film, he recognized that Spiritus Pizza and its rich deep-rooted history was the ideal subject for his research and storytelling. This film took seven years to complete, which I mostly shot during the pandemic. It’s a piece of Provincetown, MA history and I want nothing more than to have this film shown around the world.

Reviews
Junction North International Documentary Film Festival
WINNER of “Best International Feature”
April 2025
“Spiritus: No Business like Dough Business” is a joy to watch — a vibrant, fast-paced celebration of Provincetown’s history through the lens of a legendary pizza place. The creative use of archival footage, photos, and music immerses the viewer, perfectly capturing the town’s evolution into an oasis of self-expression and rebellion. A love letter filled with flamboyant outsiders, fierce counter girls and artists, who built a home in this coastal haven while creating their own world. Beneath the pizza-making is a deeper story about community and identity. Nostalgic, inspiring, and endlessly entertaining, this film is, in every sense of the word, a true slice of life.

The Provincetown Independent
INDIE SCREEN
A Bounty Comes to the Big Screen in Provincetown
Life, art, legends, and dough are the stars at this year’s film festival
By Howard Karren Jun 4, 2025

Halcyone Studio
August 2025
“In his filmmaking debut, Michael S. Koehler reminds us that we crave the same raw, honest style that has defined his photography for decades now, to the screen. SPIRITUS: There’s No Business Like Dough Business is a surprisingly beautiful and moving documentary about a story we didn’t know we wanted to hear. Koehler captures the essence of an old-school Provincetown, weaving a classic tale around the legendary figure of John Yingling, and his daring gamble. But BEYOND The Legend, the film is a powerful testament to the value of showing up for your community through the best and worst of times. Watching it made me reflect on my own life while simultaneously CELEBRATING my own home and the complex idea of just that. HOME – a home that holds a different meaning for everyone.” ~ Halcyone Studio | Halcyone Hurst

A Slice of Life