Poet of the Swingin' Blade - Production & Contact Info

Poet of the Swingin' Blade (2007)
Short | 24 min | Short, Drama, History

Primary photo for Poet of the Swingin' Blade

Poet of the Swingin' Blade (2007)

Short | 24 min | Short, Drama, History

American history tells us Slavery ended in 1865. But deep in the swamps and pine forests of Florida and Georgia, over half a million Blacks were held in debt servitude until the 1970's. More than 100 years after the last cotton plant was ...See moreAmerican history tells us Slavery ended in 1865. But deep in the swamps and pine forests of Florida and Georgia, over half a million Blacks were held in debt servitude until the 1970's. More than 100 years after the last cotton plant was plucked by an unpaid Black hand, turpentiners tapped the longleaf pines, harvesting pine gum fourteen hours a day, but earning less each week than they were forced to spend on food and clothing in the company store. "The onliest way out is to die out," says a seasoned worked in "Poet of the Swingin' Blade," Bannister and Hurd's poetic look at the extraordinary lives of the Blacks enslaved by debt peonage, but freed by their stories, songs, rootwork, and magic. Based on dozens of interviews with surviving centenarian turpentiners and the memories of Hurd's own grandfather, Jake, "Poet of the Swingin' Blade" is a rich spoken word poem, full of dreams and wonders and hard realities. Part history lesson, part poetry, part American Folklore and all inspiration, "Poet of the Swingin' Blade" is blues drama. Its magic is the wit and tenacity of the turpentiners, truly poets of the swingin' blades that carved the faces of the pines in the deep South. Written by Linda Bannister See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
13 cast members

Name	Known for
James E. Hurd Jr. Turpentine Jake Turpentine Jake See fewer	Batman & Robin (1997)
Julius Noflin Cy McClindon Cy McClindon See fewer	Something to Fight 4
Desean Terry The Runaway The Runaway See fewer	The Morning Show (I) (2019)
Jon Caligiuri Charlie (as Jon Caliguiri) Charlie (as Jon Caliguiri) See fewer	The Challenge (1998)
Catero Alain Colbert Pappy (as Catero Colbert) Pappy (as Catero Colbert) See fewer	Briarpatch (2019)
Trip Davis The Woodsrider The Woodsrider See fewer	Made of Honor (2008)
Chappelle Griffin Buck Buck See fewer	Poet of the Swingin' Blade (2007)
Bernita Gross Mama Mama See fewer	Poet of the Swingin' Blade (2007)
Jerome Hawkins Ossie (as Jerome Anthony Hawkins) Ossie (as Jerome Anthony Hawkins) See fewer	North Starr (2008)
Ebony Perry Camp Girl Camp Girl See fewer	Muslimah's Guide to Marriage (2018)
Derek Shaun Tush Tush See fewer	40 Days and Nights (2012)
Carlin Smith The Woods Witch The Woods Witch See fewer	Compton Cowboy (2004)
Cambria Watson Camp Girl Camp Girl See fewer	Date.Love.Repeat. (2017)