Written by Josh Windham

We’re celebrating National Poetry Month throughout April with films spotlighting the creative voices and landmark works of American poets. 

The Invisible Father (2022): 

Thérèse Heliczer’s 2022 intimate documentary explores the creative life and works of her father, Piero Heliczer, throughout the 1960s. As a pioneering beat poet and filmmaker of the New American Cinema movement, Piero collaborated with iconic artists such as Andy Warhol and The Velvet Underground to push the boundaries of counterculture. View this moving study of a daughter’s search for peace and connection to a father she never knew. 

Watch here.

Making the Slam (2013):

This 2013 documentary follows an ambitious group of six Philadelphia high school students as they prepare for the upcoming international poetry competition, “Brave New Voices” in Chicago. As previous winners representing the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement, these young artists continue to raise their empowered voices to compete among the best slam poets in the world. Watch this stirring personal journey about the inspiring collective impact of poetry. 

Watch here.

In Search of Walt Whitman: Part One – The Early Years (2020):

This engaging documentary chronicles the life and works of the iconic 19th-Century American poet Walt Whitman. Mixing rare archival footage with dramatic readings, period music, and academic insights, this unique film brings the timeless poet to life from his early childhood to publishing his groundbreaking first poetry collection in 1855, Leave of Grass. Watch this remarkable tribute to a pioneer of free verse poetry. 

Watch here.

Header Photo: Rose Stryron reads from her 1973 poetry collection, Thieve's Afternoon, in a scene from In the Company of Rose.

Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined (2024): 

This 2024 biographical documentary on the influential poet and novelist Julia Alvarez chronicles the world-renowned author’s early childhood growing up in the Dominican Republic up through the critical milestones of her prolific literary career. Now in her mid-70s, Alvarez reflects on key life events that shaped her craft including her family’s immigration to NYC in 1960 at the age of 10 and her impactful time at Yaddo Institute where she found great inspiration from working class women. Watch this vibrant life portrait of a trailblazing Latino American author.   

Watch here.

In the Company of Rose (2023):

This 2023 biographical documentary examines the dynamic life of the poet, journalist, and founding member of Amnesty International, Rose Styron. Born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1928, Rose grew up in a well-to-do secular, non-observant Jewish household as the youngest of 3 children. Due to the wide age gap between Rose and her older siblings, she often felt a sense of isolation growing up which led to a strong fascination with literature, human bonds, and the natural world. This desire for connection in turn inspired Rose to become an accomplished poet, journalist, and human rights activist. Watch this heartfelt film about a visionary author and advocate. 

Watch here.

Header photo caption: Rose Stryron reads from her 1973 poetry collection, Thieve's Afternoon, in a scene from In the Company of Rose.