Louder than a Bomb

Showtimes:
Thursday, April 21, 2011 - 9:15pm
Sunday, April 24, 2011 - 12:00pm

Director(s):
Greg Jacobs
Jon Siskel
Run Time:
99 min
Language(s):
English
Country(ies):
USA

Winner of the Audience Award at the Palm Springs, Chicago, Philadelphia, and St. Louis film festivals, and Best Documentary at the Austin and Virginia film festivals, Louder Than A Bomb is a spine-tingling, heart-pumping, awe-inspiring ode to the ecstatic power of words.

"Tell me where you're from, that's [writing] prompt # 1. That's it. And we begin to paint the neighborhood with language," says Kevin Coval, co-founder of Louder Than A Bomb, the world's largest youth poetry slam. Over 600 teenagers compete each year from over 60 Chicago-area high schools. This is not high school poetry as we think of it. Louder Than A Bomb showcases adolescents who astound and amaze with their stereotype-defying stories. The film follows four teams into their classrooms and often-tempestuous lives as they prepare for the annual event, witnessing the power of teamwork and trust among resilient, impassioned, and unforgettable individuals.

"An ode to Chicago's diverse voices...Genuinely stirring...Irresistible." -Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

"One of the most inspiring and exhilarating documentaries in months, or maybe years...Vibrant and moving." -Steve Pond, The Wrap

Print Source: Greg Jacobs, greg [at] siskeljacobs [dot] com