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Poetic Cinema

45 - 60 minute lesson plan exploring Poetic Cinema for one class period- discussion questions are included.

Poetic Cinema 45 - 60 Minute Lesson Plan
Credit: MY HERO

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.) 

Still I Rise

Gabriel Diamond, Patrick Barnes, Phil Collis

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)

The Peace of Wild Things

Katy Wang

When despair for the world grows in me… ...I come into the peace of wild things. ~Wendell Barry (1:17 minutes run time)

To The Boy - for Mattie J.T. Stepanek

Produced by:Alana Daly Mulligan

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)

The Window Pain

Zack Dictakis

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)

Song of the Earth

Produced by:Matthew Evans & Leona Evans

Mother and son collaborate in the expression of poetry and music for the planet. (4:00 minutes run time)

My Black Everything

Cara McPhie

A poetic film in honor and celebration of Black History Month. Made by a MY HERO intern. (5:21 run time)

A Brave and Startling Truth

Produced by:United Nations

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)

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Produced by:Taft High School

Taft High School student, Matthew Marroquin, takes on the task of illustrating this poem by Robert Frost. (2:13 minutes run time)

The World Is Too Much With Us

Produced by:Taft High School

Based on the poem by William Wordsworth. (1:16 minutes run time)

Nature Poem

Produced by:Jerrilyn Jacobs

The virtues of being among nature and finding inner peace. (1:10 minutes run time)

Playas de Tijuana

Sophie Kim

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

Heroes Wanted

Trey Carlisle

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

2022 iff cfe poetic mattie cfe
Credit: myhero

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.

Create Program
Credit: MY HERO

Additional Poetry Lesson Plan Resources

Poetry Lesson Plan
Credit: MY HERO

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

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