BIPOC Poets on Film for National Poetry Month - TWN

H-Film BIPOC Poets on Film for National Poetry Month - TWN

Discussion published by Roselly Torres on Friday, April 16, 2021

We are writing to share our collection of BIPOC poets including Audre Lorde, Nas, La Bruja and more.

A Litany for Survival: The Life and Work of Audre Lorde

Ada Gay Griffin & Michelle Parkerson, 1995, 52 mins

An epic portrait of the eloquent, award-winning Black, lesbian, poet, mother, teacher and activist, Audre Lorde, whose writings -- spanning five decades -- articulated some of the most important social and political visions of the century.

Educational streaming: https://video.alexanderstreet.com/watch/litany-for-survival-the-life-and-work-of-audre-lorde- a-90-min

Audre Lorde - The Berlin Years 1984 To 1992

Dagmar Schultz, 2012, 79 mins

AUDRE LORDE - THE BERLIN YEARS 1984 TO 1992 explores a little-known chapter of the writer’s prolific life, a period in which she helped ignite the Afro-German Movement and made lasting contributions to the German political and cultural scene before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the German reunification.

Educational streaming: https://video.alexanderstreet.com/watch/audre-lorde-the-berlin-years-1984-to-1992

…I Told You So

Alan Kondo, 1973, 18 mins

"All this identity thing. What is it you're looking for?" asks the elderly aunt of leading Japanese American poet, Lawson Inada. Through this intimate portrait, we explore Inada's answer to this complex question. His poetry, which deals with the multicultural experiences of Asian Americans, is interwoven with scenes from his life as he visits the Chicano neighborhood where he grew up, plays with his son, and travels through the streets of downtown Fresno, California with its graffiti, bars and Nisei Barber Shop.

Anomaly: A Documentary Film about Multiracial Identity

Jessica Chen Drammeh, 2013, 47 mins

ANOMALY is an award-winning documentary film that provides a thought-provoking look at multiracial identity by combining personal narratives with the larger drama of mixed race in American culture. The characters use spoken word and music to tell their stories of navigating identity, family and community in a changing world. Community leaders and academic experts contextualize the issues. As it unfolds, ANOMALY tells a story that is deeply personal, yet broadly American.

Watch trailer: http://vimeo.com/50490762

Edouard Glissant: One World in Relation

Manthia Diawara, 2010, 50 mins

In 2009, filmmaker Manthia Diawara, along with his camera, documented his conversations with Martinican philosopher, writer, and poet Édouard Glissant aboard the Queen Mary II on their transatlantic journey from Southampton, England to New York City. This intellectual voyage encapsulates Glissant’s life’s work and studies on his theory of Relation and the concept of Tout-monde, amongst several other of his philosophical suppositions.

Educational streaming: https://video.alexanderstreet.com/watch/edouard-glissant-one-world-in-relation

Hope in My Heart: The May Ayim Story

Maria Binder, 1997, 28 mins

A moving documentary about the life and untimely death of Ghanaian-German poet, academic and political personality May Ayim. Ayim was one of the founders of the Black German Movement, and her research on the history of Afro-Germans, but also her political poetry, made her known in Germany and other countries.

Watch trailer: http://vimeo.com/362836038

La Bruja: A Witch from the Bronx

Felix Rodriguez, 2005, 50 mins

Art, labor and family blend in this intimate documentary about performance artist Caridad De La Luz, better known as 'La Bruja'. Born and raised in the Bronx, this daughter of Puerto Rican immigrants takes the number 6 train to downtown Manhattan where she performs at popular New York City venues. She reads her poetry in Joe's Pub, stages her one-woman show in the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, and performs at Def Poetry Jam. But opportunities are scarce and she struggles to make ends meet in an industry where 'to keep it real' often means to work for free.

Watch trailer: http://vimeo.com/362825811

Nas: Time Is Illmatic

One9 & Erik Parker, 2014, 74 mins

Twenty years after the release of Nas’s groundbreaking debut album ‘Illmatic,’ NAS: TIME IS ILLMATIC takes us into the heart of his creative process. Returning to his childhood home in Queensbridge, Nas shares stories of his upbringing, his influences — from the music of his jazz musician father Olu Dara to the burgeoning hip-hop scene in New York City — and the obstacles he faced before his major label signing at age 20. Featuring interviews with his ‘Illmatic’ producers (Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S., and DJ Premier) and musical peers (including Pharrell Williams and Alicia Keys), NAS: TIME IS ILLMATIC is a thrilling account of Nas’s evolution from a young street poet to a visionary MC.

Watch trailer: http://vimeo.com/104816206

Latino Poets Speakout

Renata Gangemi & Ruben Gonzalez, 2005, 10 mins

Three shorts featuring performances by some of New York City's vanguard Latino poets: KILLKILLKILL by Jesus Papoleto Melendez (5 Min), GOD BLESS AMERICA by Mariposa (2 min), and TAMALES IN JANUARY by Carlo Baldi (3 min).

Watch trailer: http://vimeo.com/362823029

One People

Al Santana, 2007, 30 mins

Is everything political? Against the backdrop of a gentrified Harlem community, the story

Citation: Roselly Torres. BIPOC Poets on Film for National Poetry Month - TWN. H-Film. 04-16-2021. https://networks.h-net.org/node/14467/discussions/7501756/bipoc-poets-film-national-poetry-month-twn Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. 3 H-Film centers on two sisters who have opposite views about social responsibility and the role of artists. Aliyah, a self-styled revolutionary filmmaker, is producing a documentary about the 1960's black power movement. Her sister, Valerie, is a poet whose work centers on themes of sensuality and love. They challenge each other on the purity of art and the need for art to inspire social change. Together, they discover a politicized Lorraine Hansberry, her vision and her commitment to use art to raise the level of understanding about social injustices. A docudrama featuring Kimmie Nicole and Jennica Carmona and poet, playwright and activist Amiri Baraka.

Watch trailer: http://youtu.be/IcZU8JVuQn4

Livia Camperi