Louder Than a Bomb

Louder Than a Bomb is the name of the world's largest youth poetry slam. In this documentary that aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network, co-directors Greg Jacobs and Jon Siskel follow four Chicago high school teams as they write, rehearse, and prepare to compete in the event. For some, this is just another extracurricular activity, but for those from inner-city Steinmetz, the stakes are higher—marking one of the few opportunities to stand out in an underfunded school, and a win brings pride and respect. Steinmetz won their first time out, but felt the other contenders disrespected them, so now they're aiming for a second win with a vengeance. While each group and their individual members face unique challenges, what's clearly evident when they take the stage is the confidence of trained competitors. A complicated series of elimination rounds winnows the field, and when it comes down to the finals, the difference between victory and defeat turns out to be one tenth of a point, which upsets everyone, including the event's founders. But one of the mantras repeated by coaches is “The point's not the points; the point is the poetry,” and seeing how many of the young poets go on to college well-prepared by their experiences at LTAB, it's hard to disagree. Highly recommended. [Note: this is also available for $95 w/PPR for high schools and public libraries, and $295 w/PPR for colleges and universities from Ro*co Films Educational (www.rocoeducational.com).] Aud: C, P. (H. Seggel)