Uploaded December 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Certainty of Shadow is filmed in Sicily, with the participation of the Syrian poet and Nobel nominee, Adonis. Inspired by Plato's allegory of the Cave, this video proposes a voyage/dialog between two video makers, Kali Jones and Maurizio Ruggiano and Adonis who narrates the voyage, figuring as a contemporary Odysseus.
Poetry as sound and image continually morphs as we explore the perception and representation of nature and the world as a creative space, reflecting on the meaning of existence beyond cultural, historical and linguistic borders.
Sicily is evoked as a place of exchange for the peoples of the Mediterranean, a Mare Nostrum or al-Mutawassit (intermediate space). The video testifies to the mythical dimensions of the Mediterranean, its force and creative vitality drawing upon its rich cultural history: from ancient Greek philosophy to the tradition of Arab poets in Sicily as well as that of contemporary art.
The voyage begins in Syracuse, in the Ear of Dionysus, a cave and ancient Greek rock quarry. This space which appears as the shadow world in the video possibly inspired Plato's allegory. With Adonis, we travel outside of the cave, exploring various forms of perception through the Sicilian landscape to Alberto Burri's Labyrinth/Cretto built over the town of Gibellina (destroyed by an earthquake in 1968) and conceived by the Italian artist as a Land Art piece and mausoleum dedicated to the victims.
The video presents a complex experimental fabric of acoustic and visual sensations concerning notions of identity, time and space.
The Certainty of Shadow is filmed in Sicily, with the participation of the Syrian poet and Nobel nominee, Adonis. Inspired by Plato's allegory of the Cave, this video proposes a voyage/dialog between two video makers, Kali Jones and Maurizio Ruggiano and Adonis who narrates the voyage, figuring as a contemporary Odysseus.
Poetry as sound and image continually morphs as we explore the perception and representation of nature and the world as a creative space, reflecting on the meaning of existence beyond cultural, historical and linguistic borders.
Sicily is evoked as a place of exchange for the peoples of the Mediterranean, a Mare Nostrum or al-Mutawassit (intermediate space). The video testifies to the mythical dimensions of the Mediterranean, its force and creative vitality drawing upon its rich cultural history: from ancient Greek philosophy to the tradition of Arab poets in Sicily as well as that of contemporary art.
The voyage begins in Syracuse, in the Ear of Dionysus, a cave and ancient Greek rock quarry. This space which appears as the shadow world in the video possibly inspired Plato's allegory. With Adonis, we travel outside of the cave, exploring various forms of perception through the Sicilian landscape to Alberto Burri's Labyrinth/Cretto built over the town of Gibellina (destroyed by an earthquake in 1968) and conceived by the Italian artist as a Land Art piece and mausoleum dedicated to the victims.
The video presents a complex experimental fabric of acoustic and visual sensations concerning notions of identity, time and space.
![Cuba, qué linda es Cuba? Confessions of a Fearless Cuban [Directors Introduction]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IWObiRoyZAY/mqdefault.jpg "Cuba, qué linda es Cuba? Confessions of a Fearless Cuban [Directors Introduction]
An anthology of short works written and directed by Hebert Poll Gutiérrez, each short film is a poignant exploration of Cuba beyond its stereotypical imagery of salsa music and palm trees. Through theatre, storytelling, and short animated films, Gutiérrez unveils the multifaceted reality of his vibrant homeland. Gutiérrez sheds light on the complexities of contemporary Cuban life, inviting audiences to see beyond the postcard-perfect facade.
My homeland is so beautiful on the outside....and so bitter on the inside. Nicolás Guillén (Cubas National Poet)
The short films are based on the book authored by Hebert Poll Gutiérrez. He collaborated with the Mexican production company, Imaginante S.L to create the short films.
Director: Hebert Poll Gutiérrez
Producers: Graciela Echague, Hebert Poll Gutiérrez, Imaginante S.L.")
