"Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project" - A Journey into the Heart and Mind of a Poetic Titan

"Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project," an original documentary, premieres on Max (formerly HBO Max) on January 8, offering viewers a unique and intimate look at the life and influence of Nikki Giovanni, one of America's most revered poets and social commentators.

Directed by Michèle Stephenson and Joe Brewster, the documentary has already garnered critical acclaim, winning the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. It also received nominations for three Cinema Eye Honors Awards, two International Documentary Association Awards, and a Film Independent Spirit Awards nomination for Best Documentary.

The film opens with Giovanni’s thought-provoking words, "The trip to Mars can only be understood through black Americans," setting the tone for a documentary that delves deep into her life, beliefs, and poetic genius. Narrated by Taraji P. Henson, who also serves as an executive producer, the documentary uses Giovanni's poetic and often candid reflections to explore the themes of race, gender, and the passage of time.

Giovanni, born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr. on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, grew up in Ohio and graduated from Fisk University in Nashville in 1967. She gained prominence during the Black Power movement of the late 1960s and has been a significant figure in American literature and activism since. Currently, she is University Distinguished Professor Emerita at Virginia Tech.

The film includes archival clips and footage from Giovanni’s many public appearances, including the Afropunk festival and her frequent guest spots on the TV show “Soul!”. It not only highlights her public life but also delves into her personal struggles, including her turbulent family life and her battle with lung cancer.

"Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project" also sheds light on Giovanni's relationship with her wife Virginia Fowler, also a cancer survivor, and touches upon Giovanni's role as a single mother to her son, Thomas Giovanni.

This documentary is more than a simple biography; it's an exploration of Giovanni's unique perspective on life, her poetry, and her impact on American culture. As Giovanni herself says in the documentary, "I don’t remember a lot of things, but a lot of things I don’t remember, I don’t choose to remember. I remember what’s important, and I make up the rest. That’s what storytelling is all about."

"Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project" stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of one of America's greatest living poets, offering an intimate glimpse into the mind of a woman who has witnessed and influenced some of the most significant cultural and social movements of the past half-century.

The documentary is a must-watch for those who appreciate the power of words and the profound impact of one woman's voice on the tapestry of American history and culture.