Three-Year Site/Local Streaming - files provided and Three-Year Site/Local Streaming Renewal
3 Episodes, 180 minutes total, 2005, Executive Producer: Joanne Gabbin Producer: Judith McCray Associate Producer: Elizabeth Haworth, Editor: John Hodges Sponsor: Furious Flower Poetry Center, James Madison University Photos: JMU Photography Services, Lynda Koolish An online FACILITATOR GUIDE is available for this title.
This 3-part volume provides the definitive teaching tool for exploring the world of today's Black poetry. Providing a more focused, ambitious approach than its 1998 predecessor, Furious Flower II presents outstanding critical scholarship on Black contemporary poetry's origins and trends, its conflicts and consonances. Throughout, notable authors share insights and offer inspiration to fledgling poets about the creative process, and about daily life as a published writer.
Interspersed with these critical conversations are impassioned readings of the most representative poems of each poet. Viewers can watch as one of America's most exciting cultural movements evolves before their eyes and ears.
Video Volume One - Roots and First Fruits (60 min) discusses the major influences shaping the creative origins, poetic voice and stylistic approach of these poets. Significant influences include regional language, historic context, geographic location, personal passions and political commitment.
*Houston A. Baker, Jr. *Nikky Finney *Askia Touré *Rita Dove *Major Jackson *Lucille Clifton
Video Volume Two - Cross-pollination in the Diaspora (60 min) reflects upon the reciprocal influence between Black American poets and writers from the rest of the African literary Diaspora.
*Velma Pollard *Kwame Dawes *Brenda Marie Osbey *Haki Madhubuti *Elizabeth Alexander *Yusef Komunyakaa
Video Volume Three - Blooming in the Whirlwind (60 min) locates Black poets within their historic moment and contextualizes them within relevant political movements - Civil Rights, Black Nationalism, post-colonialism and multiculturalism.
*Amiri Baraka *Marilyn Nelson *Sharan Strange *Kevin Young *Cornelius Eady *Tony Medina *Sonia Sanchez
"The time cracks into furious flower Lifts its face all unashamed And sways in wicked grace..." "This is the urgency: Live! and have your blooming in the noise of the whirlwind." - Gwendolyn Brooks, The Second Sermon on the Warpland
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CRITICAL COMMENT
"Black poetry chronicles the many journeys of Africans in America, shedding light on the complexity and humanity of us all. Furious Flower II does tremendously important work introducing African American poets to students, educators, poetry lovers and Black Studies enthusiasts everywhere."
Toi Derricotte, University of Pittsburgh, Founder, Cave Canem
"With the voices of African American elder poets intertwining with younger ones, Furious Flower II provides a richness of historical, intellectual, and creative commentary that can enhance the dynamics of any classroom. Furious Flower II makes abundantly clear that the river of African American poetry flows ever onward."
Trudier Harris, Sitterson Professor -- U.N.C. Chapel Hill
"This essential series captures the fearless humanism of the 20th
century masters and the transformative emergence of new millenium Black poetry."
Clyde Taylor, New York University
"The interviews and conversations in Furious Flower II and the clips of poets reading their work give viewers a valuable sense of how these poets approach the making of poetry. This series, an ambitious and admirable effort, will be most valuable to educators and students alike."
Tree Swenson, Academy of American Poets
"... a priceless "mapping of the geography of the soul" of the Black poetic movement and the individuals who created it, who maintain it, and who work toward its continuance."
African American Review
"Furious Flower II is devoted to raising awareness of the contributions of African American poets to American cultural life...Students of poetry will appreciate these poets' dedication to their craft. Recommended"
Video Librarian
"Furious Flower II would be a good addition to any public or academic library collection. Highly Recommended."
