Vile Figs

Vile Figs is a poetry film based on the British poet, Luke Kennard's poem of the same name. On its face this poem considers our complicated relationship with technology and surveillance. More deeply, the work explores notions of belonging and care. At the heart center is the astounding question: is there a point where we stop extending compassion?

Kennard narrates the film.

  • Michèle Saint-Michel
    Director
    Abyss Welcomes Us, PTSD Suite, Lost Sock Collection, School of Life, Don't Tell Me I'm Beautiful
  • Peter Flint
    Sound Assistance
    FLASHBACKS film, See You Again, Not Alone
  • Luke Kennard
    Narration
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Experimental, Poetry Film
  • Runtime:
    1 minute 55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 19, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Romania, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Monologues and Poetry International Film Festival
    Vallejo, California
    United States
    November 14, 2021
    West Coast Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Arts + Literature Laboratory - Midwest Video Poetry Festival
    Madison, Wisconsin
    United States
    October 8, 2021
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Michèle Saint-Michel

Michèle Saint-Michel is an intermedia artist, experimental filmmaker, and author. Designed to promote healing, her works encourage healthy coping and recovery from difficult experiences. Saint-Michel’s work is deeply rooted in experiential time and cultural constructions of the feminine.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Collaboration notes:
Luke Kennard is a British poet, critic, novelist and lecturer.

He won an Eric Gregory Award in 2005 for his first collection The Solex Brothers. His second collection, The Harbour Beyond The Movie, was shortlisted for the 2007 Forward Prize for Best Collection, making him the youngest ever poet to be nominated. In 2014 he was named as one of the Poetry Book Society's Next Generation Poets. His debut novel, The Transition, was published by Fourth Estate in March 2017. The novel was a BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime.