Films of Poems
Films and poetry have a connection because of their use of images, sound, and time. As you watch these films consider the techniques used by filmmakers to bring out these elements in poetry. (These films have a total run time of approximately 27 minutes.)
A visual and musical interpretation of American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou’s electrifying poem "Still I Rise." (3:53 minutes run time)
When despair for the world grows in me… ...I come into the peace of wild things. ~Wendell Barry (1:17 minutes run time)
Mattie's life philosophy was to play after every storm, so now, when we all feel tossed about but the waves of our world, we must remember to hold onto hope. (3:06 minutes run time)
My dad, Nick Dictakis, was a stoic man. He didn't ever share his artistic expression. After he passed in 2016, I found a box of poetry and a notebook titled "Attempts at Poetry by Nick Dictakis" filled with beautiful words and jarring poetic story telling. (4:05 run time)
Mother and son collaborate in the expression of poetry and music for the planet. (4:00 minutes run time)
A poetic film in honor and celebration of Black History Month. Made by a MY HERO intern. (5:21 run time)
Maya Angelou reads her poem "A Brave and Startling Truth" which she wrote in commemoration of the UN's 50th Anniversary, in 1995. (5:29 run time)
Poetic Cinema Produced by High School Students (Approximate run time 8 minutes)
Taft High School student, Matthew Marroquin, takes on the task of illustrating this poem by Robert Frost. (2:13 minutes run time)
Based on the poem by William Wordsworth. (1:16 minutes run time)
The virtues of being among nature and finding inner peace. (1:10 minutes run time)
An inspiring poem about the border fence that meets the sea, where names become prayers and where “the worst place to be is here and not there.” (3:08 minutes run time)
Discussion Guide
1. Which of these films evoked the most emotion in you? Why?
2. How do the images used in these illustrated poems strengthen the meaning of the poem? How do they lessen it?
3. Is poetry visual by nature? Are some poems a stronger choice for illustrating with visuals? Why?
4. How have the filmmakers emphasized the story of the poem?
5. If you were to illustrate a poem through film, which poem would you choose? Why?
6. Submit a film illustrating a poem to MY HERO using the Create Program.
Original Poem
Trey celebrates the best of humanity with this original hero anthem! (6:00 minutes run time)
Students are invited to submit their own original poems or poetic cinema using the Create Program
How to use MY HERO's Create Program to Publish Stories, Art, Film and Audio for Students
Tutorial for students: Publish written stories, film, original artwork and audio in MY HERO's multimedia library.
Additional Poetry Lesson Plan Resources
Organizer created on 6/14/2022 2:45:52 PM by Laura Nietzer
Last edited 1/4/2023 2:33:59 PM by Laura Nietzer
