Poetry in Motion (1982)

Name: Poetry in Motion
Genre: Documentary
Released: 1982
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 7.0
Cast: Charles Bukowski, William S. Burroughs, John Cage, Jim Carroll, Robert Creeley

1h 31m Canada

Documentary

Plot

A vibrant showcase features over 20 North American poets delivering their craft through recitation, song, and performance. Charles Bukowski sets the tone early, emphasizing the dynamic spirit of poetry and its creators. These poets, descendants of influential figures like Walt Whitman and Charles Olson, fuse incantation with contemporary political themes. The film highlights various movements, from the Black Mountain poets and the Beats to minimalists like John Cage and the enigmatic Four Horsemen. These voices, including Tom Waits, reveal the troubadour essence of modern poetry, celebrating its power and relevance.

Cast

Charles Bukowski William S. Burroughs John Cage Jim Carroll Robert Creeley Allen Ginsberg Tom Waits Gary Snyder Ted Berrigan Ed Sanders Diane Di Prima Amiri Baraka Anne Waldman Kenward Elmslie Christopher Dewdney