First annual program of movies made by and about artists working in poetry and song. Fresh, exciting films from New Mexico and around the world.

The Guild Cinema of Albuquerque will host the first annual WORD! Poets & Songwriters Movie Program on November 9, 10, 11, 2009.

According to organizer Bill Nevins, “We want to share the excitement of seeing and hearing sharp writing, and dynamic writers on the big screen.” Among the poets and songwriters appearing in the movies being screened are Beat poetry icons Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti and radical Poet Laureates Amiri Baraka and Jack Hirschman. Songwriting stars to be featured include West Texas heroes The Flatlanders, Talking Head David Byrne, Sonic Youth and NY Irish rebel rousers Black 47, among others.

New Mexico’s rich poetry culture will be represented in films including the poetry of UNM writers Levi Romero, Mary Oishi and Richard Vargas. There will also be surprises, including the US premiere of Talkies! by UK video-poet Steve Tasane and a widely praised mockumentary about the mysterious Humberville Poetry Slam. The program also features the Southwest premiere of Polis Is This: Charles Olson and the Persistence of Place, director Henry Ferrini’s visionary tribute to the art and mind of one of American poetry’s giants. Another American poetry hero, Carl Sandburg, will be celebrated in the Emmy-winning The Song & The Slogan, directed by Tim Hartin and featuring music composed by Daniel Steven Crafts of Rio Rancho.

Albuquerque Slam Poet Laureate Danny Solis will perform live poetry to open the program on Monday.

General admission ticket prices are $7, students and seniors $5, and a special 6-screening Program Pass for $20.
Detailed information on screening schedules at www.guildcinema.com

Co-sponsors of WORD! Poets & Songwriters Movie Program are the New Mexico State Poetry Society and Sanjevani Poetry Circle.