Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, September 20:
DON’T BE NICE
Director:
Max Powers
World Premiere:
Hot Docs 2018
Select Festivals:
AFI Docs, Palm Springs, Urbanworld, Bushwick, Black Harvest, Brisbane, Guelph, Vail
About:
The Bowery Slam Poetry Team prepares for the national championships.
Capturing the voices of a diverse group of young black, Latinx, and queer writers, Max Powers’ film follows their efforts to express themselves with authenticity through slam poetry. Guided by a supportive but no-nonsense coach Lauren Whitehead, Ashley, Timothy, Joel, Noel, and Mega push themselves to confront deeply ingrained trauma and the harsh realities of growing up in an often racist, homophobic society, exorcising it through spoken word. Dealing with more challenging subject matter than most competition docs, the film succeeds in transcending its subgenre, and sharing some difficult, but necessary truths.