Don't Be Nice

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1:41

Don't Be Nice

2019

1h 36m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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.

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.

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Frank Scheck

The Hollywood Reporter

09/19/2019

The art of the spoken word, at its most powerful.

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Candice Frederick

TheWrap

09/18/2019

Captures the revitalization of the artist in a world filled with doom.

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Hagan Osborne

FILMINK (Australia)

04/01/2021

12/20

...offers a fascinating yet unfocused glimpse into the world of competitive slam poetry.

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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.

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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.

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10/11/2020

Bad poetry and cringeworthy performances. If that's what you like, this is your movie!

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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.

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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.

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07/27/2020

Don't Be Nice is Amazing!

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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.

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09/24/2019

Amazing commentary on issues of human rights and expression

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Max Powers

Director

Lauren Whitehead

Actor

Ashley August

Actor

Sean DesVignes

Actor

Timothy DuWhite

Actor

Joël François

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The Indie Fresh List: Amulet, Radioactive, and Don’t Be Nice

Don't Be Nice: Trailer 1

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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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