BY THE PEOPLE: THE ELECTION OF BARACK OBAMA by Amy Rice & Alicia Sams

 

Courtesy of kevinsword.com

It might be months since the election of the century but Obama-mania shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. First there were t-shirts, then came the mugs and now its a feature-length documentary, By The People: The Election Of Barack Obama. – acquired by Sony Pictures Worldwide and set to make its debut on HBO.

Following in the footsteps of The War Room, a documentary on Clinton’s presidential campaign, directors Amy Rice and Alicia Sams have teamed up with Edward Norton‘s Class 5 Films to make the political documentary of 2009. 

This type of film typically would only be intended for political enthusiasts, but with Barack Obama’s ‘rockstar’ status, Sony may well have a hit on their hands.

If like me, and most of the world, you just can’t get enough, then click here to find out more.

I’m A Poet, I Just Don’t Know It… (Brave New Voices, a documentary series on HBO – Russell Simmons & Queen Latifah)

Everyone’s allowed one addiction, and mine happens to be poetry…

Think the unthinkable, think X Factor meets the life and works of Sylvia Plath, and this is the fallout – Brave New Voices - one part Def Poetry Jam and two parts documentary, presented by hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons and narrated by none other than rapper Queen Latifah.

It may well follow the format of a bootcamp talent show, but Brave New Voices has definitely not just fallen off the Simon Cowell conveyor belt of ‘talent’(less) productions. I kid you not, talent is actually on the agenda, and there isn’t a pair of high-waisted trousers in sight, trust me.

Documenting the lives of young, aspiring poets from all over America as they prepare to face off in the National Youth Poetry Slam Competition, raw emotion, unwavering determination and passion all wrestle for the viewer’s attention.

This isn’t about outside, it’s about inside declares one poet as he begins his awe-inspiring stage performance. It is plain to see that the teens live, sleep, eat and breathe their poems, nothing is sugar coated, it’s just raw, hard-core straight-up emotion.

As they deliver their performances they give a piece of themselves away, sharing intimate personal details with the audience. If you’re expecting to settle down with a cup of tea and listen to a nice poem about blossom in the spring, I’m afraid to say you are in for a big surprise…

Click here to find out more.

Courtesy of thevillager.com