The documentary film ‘Our Words Collide’ follows five teenage poets from the Get Lit organization as they prepare for the Classic Slam, the world’s largest classic poetry competition. The film opens with the students performing in front of a packed auditorium at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. The students have spent months preparing for this moment, and their passion and talent are evident in their performances.
Through self-shot footage, dramatized performances, and animation, the film explores the power of poetry to inspire, heal, and help young people find their voices. The students in the film come from diverse backgrounds, and they each have their own unique story to tell. But they are all united by their love of poetry and their desire to use their voices to make a difference in the world.
The film follows the students as they prepare for the Classic Slam, and it captures the challenges and triumphs they face along the way. The students struggle with self-doubt, stage fright, and the pressure to succeed. But they also find strength and support in each other and in their teachers.
The COVID-19 pandemic poses a new set of challenges for the students. The Classic Slam is canceled, and the students are forced to find new ways to connect with each other and their art. But they do not give up. They continue to write and perform poetry, and they use their voices to speak out about the issues that matter to them.
‘Our Words Collide’ is a powerful and moving film that celebrates the power of poetry and the resilience of young people. The film follows the students on their journey as they find their voices and use their words to make a difference in the world.
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Get Lit students find solace and strength in their art, proving the transformative power of arts programs in times of crisis. As Rosario Dawson, executive producer of the film, says, ‘[The film] shows so deeply and so clearly how necessary those types of programs are to get us through our everyday and especially through these types of emergencies.’
‘Our Words Collide’ is a must-see for anyone who loves poetry, or who believes in the power of young people to change the world.
