Slamnation: The Sport of the Spoken Word
In House Newsletter
January/February 1999
(Paul Devlin, USA, 1997, 35mm, Color, 91 minutes)
Fri. Feb 12 -- 6:30 and 8:30 pm
Sat. Feb 13 -- 8:30 pm
Sun. Feb 14 -- 6:30 pm
Wed. Feb 17 -- 6:30 pm
Thu. Feb 18 -- 8:30 pm
Once a year, the outspoken bards of neighborhood barroom Poetry Slams gather for a no-holds-barred national competition. Producer/director Paul Devlin the New York city team (featuring Slam star Saul Williams) to the 1996 finals in Portland, Oregon, where they exchange verbal ballistics with other thoroughbreds of the thorax. That Devlin has one won Emmys for his sport coverage reveals much about his approach to the competition -- his film has the build, momentum and exuberance of an NCAA basketball tournament. What emerges are distinct personalities, fierce (even cutthroat) rivalries, and moments of grace, wit, and timing under pressure.
International House and the Kelly Writers House at the University of Pennsylvania present a night of filmed and live spoken work. After the February 17th 6:30 pm screening of Slamnation, head over to the Kelly Writers House at 8:30 pm for SPEAKEASY: Poetry, Prose and Anything Goes, a free open mike performance.
Information for International House: 215.895.6542