FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Poet T. L. Sanders Brought His Art House Film The kNew-Born to Olathe

A special public screening invited audiences to witness the birth of faith, the weight of fear, and the fragile journey toward forgiveness.

Olathe, Kansas — January 18, 6:00 p.m.The Olathe Indian Creek Library hosted a free public screening of the art house film The kNew-Born, followed by a live Q&A with Poet T. L. Sanders. Community members gathered for an evening of film, dialogue, and reflection centered on themes of redemption, accountability, and human connection.

The kNew-Born invites viewers to experience conscientious compassion for a convict and drug addict who craves a connection with his children. Known as “The Dean” of the state penitentiary, Terry—a prodigious felon and a prodigal father, long lost yet still longing—is offered another chance to earn parole. Over the years, his violent crimes against prison staff and fellow inmates, his continuous abuse and distribution of drugs and contraband, and his blatant disregard for prison rules have barred any possibility of release. Now, as he seeks freedom, Terry hopes; he strives; he reaches out from within to become a better man than he has ever been. With coercive coaching from a crazed counselor named Dr. Dennis, might Terry win this fight against himself?

What Reviewers Said

“Without pity and with a clear gaze, Poet T. L. Sanders brings a deep and compassionate vision to the human cost of problems most of us only read about in the news: the incarceration of Black men, the costs of addiction, and the heartbreak of children growing up without fathers,” wrote reviewer Barbara Dooley.

“Intense, gripping… a one-two punch… written in fire and delivered with thunder,” wrote Kelly Luck.

“Equally as riveting as For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange,” said Victor En Yu Tan, UMKC professor of lighting.

“The caliber of his creativity, stage presence, and delivery deserves to be elevated to a broader stage and audience—look out Broadway. This is one for you. I’m reminded of the phenomenal 1975 performance of Tony Perkins in Equus. An absolutely masterful show—the best of the best,” wrote Teresa Bronston McKinley.

The Birth of the Backstory

The resonance of The kNew-Born deepens when viewed through the lens of its origins. Each character was first conceived as an individual poem. In 2018, editor Polly Alice McCann invited Poet to share the story behind the work. That same year, the birth of kNew: The Poetic Screenplay was inspired by a death—Poet’s father, who died of a heroin overdose.

From that loss, the work grew. Over the summer, it evolved into a one-person, six-character, one-hour live performance that became an award-winning production at KC Fringe 2019. Years later, Poet delivered The kNew-Born, an art house film that expanded the original vision.

While the poetic screenplay focused on the son, Dr. James Dean, the film The kNew-Born turns its attention to the father, Terry Dean—bringing the creative journey full circle from page to stage to screen.

Currently, Poet is creating the next install of The kNew-Born. Click here to view the trailer of The kNew-Born.