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Don't Be Nice

Play trailer 1:41 Poster for Don't Be Nice 2019 1h 36m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
The upstart Bowery Slam Poetry Team, made up of five African-American, Afro-Hispanic and queer poets in their 20s, prepares for the national championships.

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Don't Be Nice

Critics Reviews

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Katie Walsh Los Angeles Times 09/27/2019
A finely observed documentary about a national slam poetry competition that rises above its traditional format to find the personal profundity in the art form. Go to Full Review Frank Scheck The Hollywood Reporter 09/19/2019
The art of the spoken word, at its most powerful. Go to Full Review Candice Frederick TheWrap 09/18/2019
Captures the revitalization of the artist in a world filled with doom. Go to Full Review Hagan Osborne FILMINK (Australia) 04/01/2021
12/20
...offers a fascinating yet unfocused glimpse into the world of competitive slam poetry. Go to Full Review Sean Clancy Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 07/17/2020
86/100
It's a fascinating combination of reality show, coming-of-age story, social critique, and literary boot camp. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 10/23/2019
B-
Slam poetry makes the spoken word an emotional sport for a young generation of aspiring poets. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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10/11/2020 Bad poetry and cringeworthy performances. If that's what you like, this is your movie! See more 08/22/2020 What an honor and a privilege. I saw the last screening of this film tonight at the Berkshire International Film Festival in the Shakespeare & Co. parking lot drive-in cinema with the filmmaker present. As a Manhattanite who fled to the hills during the pandemic, this movie was a salve for our troubled times. So on point--so pertinent because it bears witness to our times and what it's like to live in a troubled nation where Black Lives are all often cit too short--like one of the poems that capture the bougie-ness of white girls wearing Black Live Matter t-shirts cut off--too short to matter. There was a moment when a young poet told a story about his childhood abuse as seen through his eyes in 8 parts. It was so raw and so real. Somewhere in between forgetting to breathe and crying, the transference of this young mans struggle felt so close, as if he was next to me. And he was because that's the power of a great filmmaker who connects his characters to your heart in a way that's as organic as seamless. What an amazing film. See more 08/11/2020 Absolutely riveting. This beautiful film is constantly exciting and fast-paced. Amazingly talented new voices are showcased----conveying deep emotions, powerfully revealing messages that yield insights that are a gift. The film is highly relevant for 2020 and beyond. Wonderful story-telling. You will be glad you saw this. See more 07/27/2020 Don't Be Nice is Amazing! See more 09/29/2019 A beautiful story about poetry and the human spirit. Poetry coach Lauren Whitehead and Jon Sands are tasked with coaching a Slam poetry group and getting them to the Nationals. Soon it becomes clear that Lauren's more interested in getting her group to look inward than win the Nationals. See more 09/24/2019 Amazing commentary on issues of human rights and expression See more Read all reviews
Don't Be Nice

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Cast & Crew

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Max Powers

Director

Lauren Whitehead

Actor

Ashley August

Actor

Sean DesVignes

Actor

Timothy DuWhite

Actor

Joël François

Actor

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Don't Be Nice

Don't Be Nice: Trailer 1 Don't Be Nice: Trailer 1 1:41 View more videos
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Don't Be Nice

Don't Be Nice (2019) Don't Be Nice (2019) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The upstart Bowery Slam Poetry Team, made up of five African-American, Afro-Hispanic and queer poets in their 20s, prepares for the national championships.
Director
Max Powers
Producer
Cora Atkinson, Nikhil Melnechuk
Distributor
Self Distributed
Production Co
Radio Drama Network
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 20, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 19, 2020
Runtime
1h 36m
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