MONMOUTH, Ill. — In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, Monmouth College’s student organization Raices will show the movie “Urban Poet” on Sept. 24 at 6:45 p.m. in Room 109 of the Haldeman-Thiessen Science Center.

Faculty and students from the modern foreign languages department will lead a discussion on the Latino culture following the film, which takes place in the Humboldt Park area of Chicago.

Produced and directed by Antonio Franceschi, “Urban Poet” is a full feature film that takes viewers behind the scenes of a true-to-life drama which choreographs the life of modern day Latinos struggling to overcome adversity and setbacks. The coming of age story follows Rita, a young Latina poet from Humboldt Park struggling to find her voice. She’s at odds with the social ills in her community. Gang violence threatens her father, a detective and single parent. A shady promoter seduces her best friend with promises of a break in show biz. Her boyfriend’s job as a construction foreman depends on his willingness to play union buster for a developer.

Gentrification and the portrayal of minorities in society can pose limits for Rita as she enters into adulthood, but she chooses otherwise. She puts her frustrations onto paper, creating poetry with strong lyrics and powerful messages, establishing her as a serious contender in the Latino Café Slam competition. “Urban Poet” is the tale of one young Latina’s dilemma to transcend boundaries and maintain sacred relationships with those she loves.