Educational Media Reviews Online

This documentary portrays the nation-wide live performance of poetry, or "poetry slam" movement among teenagers in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Minneapolis, and among Navajo youth on the reservation. It features well-seasoned writers such as Sekou Sundiata, Abiodun Oyewole (one of the "Last Poets" of the 1960s generation), Sherman Alexie, and Genny Lim, but focuses primarily on the teenage poets themselves.

With remarkable gentleness and good humor, it examines various aspects of youth and poetry today: hip hop influence, community-building, discovery of self, love, rage, therapy, and inspiration. Moving scenes show young poets learning and teaching each other about the realities of their everyday lives and the magical use of words, phrases, rhythms and something like dance are mingled with clips of Allen Ginsberg or the Last Poets.

Technically, it is an excellent video. It would be appropriate for teens and their teachers, although a few people may object to the use of some four-letter words and graphic language. It would enhance the collections of high schools and colleges. The producers of the video have also created a web site, www.poeticlicense.org, which will offer curricular materials to assist teachers in creative use of the film and an online journal for young poets.

Highly recommended.