Sirmums, an internationally renowned poet, has been featured on the Lollapalooza tours and in numerous films.
His visit to UNC was part of an independent film double feature sponsored by the Sonja Haynes Stone Black Cultural Center.
"The screening is part of the Diaspora Festival of Black Independent Films, a yearlong festival of black film from around the world," said Brandi Williams, communication specialist for the Stone Center.
The screening began at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Student Union Auditorium and was introduced by Sirmums' brilliant rapid-fire spoken-word introduction.
The first of the films, "Morning Breath," was a unique and cerebral urban love based on an extended poem written by Sirmums himself.
The film's director, Brin Hill, actually shot the film with equipment that he acquired with his expired New York University student identification. Hill encouraged student filmmakers to take advantage of the equipment colleges have to offer.
The second film, "Brotherly Love," was a witty comedy that continually shifted gears between subtle humor and hilarious slapstick.
Despite the comic accessibility of "Brotherly Love," the film also has some political undercurrents and social commentary. In one scene, a black character, Emmett Diallo, is shot repeatedly and unnecessarily by New York police.
"The character represents the parallel between Emmett Till of segregation and Amadou Diallo of our time," said Attika J. Torrence, director of "Brotherly Love."
