A few years ago, the geniusÂes over at Four SeaÂsons ProÂducÂtions began shootÂing evocaÂtive short films set to clasÂsic poetÂry. 21 finÂished pieces, a long list of fesÂtiÂval prizes and a full DVD latÂer, many of their best “poem videos” are now availÂable to watch for free on their YouTube chanÂnel.
These short pieces capÂture the mood, rhythms and meanÂing of a wide range of poetÂic voicÂes and styles in imagÂiÂnaÂtive ways. Our favorite is the above interÂpreÂtaÂtion of Langston HughÂes’ “The Weary Blues,” but there are sevÂerÂal othÂer excepÂtionÂal shorts, includÂing “Only Breath” by the great 13th cenÂtuÂry sufi poet Jalal ad-Din Rumi and “100 Love SonÂnets IX” by Pablo NeruÂda. Note: The NeruÂda poems are read in the origÂiÂnal SpanÂish.
SheerÂly Avni is a San FranÂcisÂco-based arts and culÂture writer. Her work has appeared in Salon, LA WeekÂly, MothÂer Jones, and many othÂer pubÂliÂcaÂtions. You can folÂlow her on twitÂter at @sheerly.