Words Aloud Documentary
WORDS ALOUD - the spoken word festival that brings a small town . . . to its feet.
This documentary takes you on a journey through the many forms of spoken word, including dub, slam and lyric poetry, performance poetry, and storytelling. You’ll get an insider’s view of the Words Aloud Festival – performances, interviews, and the story of Adam, an 18 year old student who begins to find his own voice.
You’ll discover what makes a poet, what drives them to create, what’s most difficult about the writing life, and what compels them to continue. You’ll see how a small town creates a vibrant poetic community and why your own voice is so important.
Canada's best poets and storytellers electrify audiences, revealing spoken word's power to delight, inspire and transform.
Words Aloud is about creating community through a shared cultural experience. That's at the heart of what we do.
Narrated by Montreal-based spoken word artist Ian Ferrier, this documentary treats us to an insider’s view of the 4 day festival. Directed and produced by poet Elizabeth Zetlin.
You’ll hear Lorna Crozier’s last erotic poem; storyteller Ivan Coyote’s tales of the Yukon; and dub poet Clifton Joseph’s riveting poem about a shoot-out at a party. CBC’s “Dr. Poetry” Robert Priest reads the Bible backwards and pays homage to Rosa Parks. Cree poet Louise Bernice Halfe shares her residential school experience.
Canada’s Poet Laureate John Steffler gets ravenous with moose stories; the Toronto Slam team raises the energy and renowned spoken word artist and 2010 Olympic poet Shane Koyczan demonstrates why poetry, the world’s most enduring art form, is truly the shortest distance between two hearts.
Purchase the DVD for home use, go to the South Grey Bruce Youth Literacy Council, and click on "Store."
Purchase the DVD for educational use, go to McNabb Connolly.
All proceeds, both educational and home sales, go to Youth Literacy.
Join the Words Aloud Facebook community.
Learn more about spoken word: Exploring Contemporary Canadian Voices - the spoken word. For teachers, students and anyone interested in poetry and storytelling.
Watch more Words Aloud performances, interviews and workshops on our YouTube Channel. Over 150 videos from past festivals.
Visit the Words Aloud Festival website.
Contact the director/producer, Elizabeth Zetlin: ezetlin@gmail.com
NEWS
Words Aloud goes to Toronto
The Doc screens at Commffest Global Community Film Festival in Toronto, SATURDAY, SEPT. 25, 2010 at 2.00 pm at the Rainbow Cinema, 80 Front Street East - between Church & Jarvis. Following the show, Robert Priest, one of the featured poets, will perform live and then join Liz Zetlin for Q&A.
Words Aloud gets Laurels
Award winner (2nd place for Feature Film) at the Killington Film Festival in Vermont, April 2010.
Official Selection at the Okanagan International Film Festival, July 21-25, 2010
ARTICLES
Words Aloud the Movie at Open Book Toronto
Poet getting the Spoken Word Out
