Poetry in Motion
Poetry in Motion

Movie spotlight

Poetry in Motion

1982
Movie
91 min
English

More than 20 contemporary North American poets recite, sing, and perform their work. Early in the film, Charles Bukowski talks about the energy of poets and of a poem. These poets are the children of Walt Whitman and of Charles Olson, incantatory and oratorical, radical, sometimes incorporating contemporary political imagery. Black Mountain poets, the Beats, minimalists like John Cage, the wordless Four Horsemen, Tom Waits, and others capture aspects of poets as troubadours.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Director: Kenneth RiveGenres: Documentary, Music

Plot Summary

This documentary explores the creative process and collaborative efforts of avant-garde artists Philip Glass and Robert Wilson. It delves into their artistic philosophies and showcases their groundbreaking work, particularly their opera 'Einstein on the Beach'. The film also features insights from poet Allen Ginsberg, offering a broader perspective on artistic expression.

Critical Reception

Poetry in Motion was generally well-received by critics for its unique portrayal of artistic collaboration and its exploration of experimental music and theater. It's considered a significant document for fans of minimalist music and avant-garde performance art.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its insightful look into the minds of innovative artists.

  • Appreciated for documenting the creation of influential avant-garde works.

  • Found to be a valuable resource for understanding the collaboration between music and theater.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this niche documentary, but those available often highlight its educational value for those interested in contemporary classical music and experimental theater.

Fun Fact

The film was produced by the BBC and was part of a larger series exploring the arts, aiming to bring avant-garde concepts to a wider television audience.

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