Robinson, Jonathan, Thomas, Eric Camacho, Jeremy Sanchez Piri	...	(Director)
Jonathan Meyer Robinson, Piri Thomas	...	(Writer)
Piri Thomas	...	Papi

Comments: DEN 330

Summary: A fiery mix of documentary, spoken word poetry, and dramatizations, EVERY CHILD IS BORN A POET explores the life and work of Piri Thomas, the Afro-Cuban-Puerto Rican author of the classic autobiographical novel DOWN THESE MEAN STREETS (1967). The film traces Thomas' path from childhood to manhood in New York City's Spanish Harlem, El Barrio, from the 1930's through the 1960's - from home life during the Great Depression to membership in barrio youth gangs to six years in prison to his triumphant emergence as a renowned writer.Thomas' coming-of-age story is counter-pointed with veritE scenes of his on-going work as an educator and activist empowering marginalized and incarcerated youths. A stylized, genre-spanning production, EVERY CHILD IS BORN A POET weaves together a spell-blinding collage of contemporary and archival footage with provocative mixed-media artwork, as it examines Thomas' use of creative expression as a means of confronting poverty, racism, violence and isolation. Pulsating with an original Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz score, EVERY CHILD IS BORN A POET is a riveting portrait of a life lived through struggle, self-discovery, and transformation.Copyright (c) 2003 When in Doubt Productions. All rights reserved.Broadcast nationwide on the PBS series INDEPENDENT LENS in April 2004."A Whirlwind" -- TV GUIDE"A Must-See" -- VARIETY"Incendiary" -- MILL VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL"A Compelling, Emotionally Intimate Portrait" -- TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL * Winner of the OPERA PRIMA AWARD at the LOS ANGELES LATINO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2003* Winner of the PAUL ROBESON AWARD for BEST DOCUMENTARY at the NEWARK BLACK FILM FESTIVAL 2004* Nominee for DISTINGUISHED DOCUMENTARY FEATURE AWARD 2003 by the INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION (IDA)* Finalist for the SILVER WOLF AWARD at the INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILMFESTIVAL AMSTERDAM (IDFA) 2003* Awarded HONORABLE MENTION in the DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION at the URBANWORLD FILM FESTIVAL 2003* Finalist for OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY FEATURE at the LITERACY IN MEDIA AWARDS 2004* Official U.S. Selection for INPUT - INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC TELEVISION CONFERENCE 2004, Barcelona, Spain* Winner of the CHARLES SCHWARTZ AWARD FOR EXEMPLARY USE OF SOUND AND/OR MUSIC & Runner-Up for BEST DOCUMENTARY at FILM FEST NEW HAVEN 2004* Official Selection of the INTERNATIONAL ART ON FILM FESTIVAL 2005, Montreal, Canada The prices listed here are for personal HOME USE ONLY. --- SPECIFICATIONS --- USA | In English | Color and B&W | StereoDVD: Region 0 NTSC (compatible with most players worldwide) / Chaptered for random accessVHS: NTSC (compatible with NTSC and multi-system VCRs/TVs only)Suitable for ages 12 and over. Some strong language/profanity.This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.