British Film Festival Los Angeles 2009

Committing Poetry is a poetic glance at events that defined the struggle of a nation at war abroad, and with its people. When the bombs began to fall on Iraq, Humanities Teacher and Youth Poetry Coach, Bill Nevins, was suspended andlater, fired, from his teaching job after standing up for student freedom of expression. His outspoken Rio Rancho High School Poetry Slam Team was forcibly disbanded and silenced. Nevins was the last of seven New Mexico educators removed by fearful administrators seeking to quell the questions, thoughts, debates, and artwork of students. Just days after Nevins' removal, hundreds of peaceful protestors were brutally assaulted by police. Demonstrators were continuously corralled into "Free Speech Zones" away from traffic and public view. If even a small group of protestors ventured out of these so-called"free-speech" zones onto their own sidewalks city police officers held them at gunpoint. Within one week, constitutional guarantees crumbled, and the repercussions from silencing our youth and suppressing civil liberties continue to this day. Yet, out of this fire arose a diverse community of artisans, poets, & musicians whose courageous words could not be silenced. They came together in a series of unifying events, which began in New Mexico, and grew to cross this great country...it was called, Poetic Justice. The Poetic Justice poets defied the fear-tactics of the times and, not only supported Bill Nevins in his legal battle, but also, stood as a beacon for freedom of speech. The poets, and the film itself,serve as a testament to our creative spirit and an affirmation of the power of creativity - a path toward transformation and hope during these troubling times. Committing Poetry in Times of War, based on a story developed by stavros and Eric Sirotkin, documents many dynamic slam poetry and musical performances with select performances from Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and New York City Poetic Justice concerts. On screen performances by Adan Baca, Socorro Romo, Demetria Martinez, Tony Santiago, Erin Ambrose, Jazz, The Ruffians, Carlos Contreras, Priscilla Baca y Candelaria, Manuel Gonzales, Danny Solis, Kenn Rodriguez, and student members of the disbanded Rio Rancho Ram Slam Poetry Team, offer an inspiring account of how America's artistic community responded to threats to our civil liberties. Produced by UBUNTUWORKS, LLC, it is the first cinematic venture from DOGONE PICTURES, written, directed, and edited by digital filmmaker, stavros.