SlamNation

The film SlamNation (1998) documents the 1996 National Poetry Slam finals, following a team of poets including Saul Williams, Beau Sia, muMs da Schemer, and Jessica Care Moore. Slam poetry is a competitive performance art that combines elements of performance, writing, and audience participation. It originated in Chicago in the 1980s with Marc Kelly Smith, who aimed to revitalize poetry by creating events where anyone could perform and be judged by audience members. Poems typically have a three-minute time limit, and no props or musical accompaniment are allowed. Slam poetry has grown into a global artistic movement influencing various aspects of modern culture.1