Brave New Voices

After bringing spoken word to HBO with Def Poetry, Def Jam founder Russell Simmons continues to spotlight the urban art form in Brave New Voices. While Mos Def hosted the earlier HBO series, Queen Latifah narrates this one, with Idris Elba heading up the final installment. On seven episodes spread over two discs, the cameras capture tryouts, rehearsals, and the formation of 45 teams, culminating in the 2008 Teen Poetry Slam Finals in Washington, D.C. Once the six-person teams come together, they meet with mentors to prepare for their big day in the nation's capital. With 450 contestants, there's no way every teen gets the chance to perform, so the best and most charismatic stand for the whole. Representing both genders and several races, the poets hail from across the country, but the show concentrates on the teams from Philadelphia (the winner in 2008), Ann Arbor, Brooklyn, Fort Lauderdale, Honolulu, and San Francisco. Some face special challenges, like Jasmine, who has sickle cell anemia, and Britney, who has cerebral palsy (the latter views her work “as a form of validation” and feels “most passionate about changing people's perceptions”). As expected from a premium cable program, strong language appears throughout these episodes, which tackle race, gender, sexuality, cultural heritage, and...Philip Seymour Hoffman (Aimée admires his lack of vanity). The most emotional moments come from the actual performances, such as Ittai's poem to a suicidal friend and Joshua's ode to a father who deferred his dreams. But disagreements, disappointments, and tears also keep the psychic temperature high. Strongly recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)