The Little Poet 🖼️ (CalArts Film 2023)

[@cheryune]

I AM SOBBING OMG this concept is so unique- the references to classic art styles, warm colours, transitions, and the rhyme scheme work so well?! the narrator is so lovable and this made me strangely nostalgic for fairytales and that childlike sense of wonder :’)

[@halimj7]

I love how you think!

[@LilythathappenstobeinaValley]

aaaa same

[@fairyfarms]

i'm crying too and idk why 😭

[@ezequielplacer9812]

This isn't just an animated short, it's a love letter to art in its different forms: painting, drawing, music, poetry, sculpture, writing, cinematography and of course animation! And I love it so much!

[@watermelon6698]

now tell me why this brought tears to my eyes

[@doukzu]

literally why am I crying

[@minipuft]

its just too beautiful

[@estebanazofeifa1083]

I KNOW, RIGHT?

[@TheGoodContent37]

Because you are week!

[@El_Pendejo_De_Si_Mismo]

​@@TheGoodContent37 Crying is not a sing of weekness, is a sing of empathy and that you can feel the pain in yourself and other people

[@jameskuckkan2326]

Love how seamlessly the animation and themes are blended. You have incredible talent, and should be very proud of this work. Job well done.

[@goodnight.socialite]

As an Art History student I absolutely LOVE this!! Stunning references to some of my favourite paintings and beautiful prose :). The way you give the paintings life and fluidity reminds of Joan Gratz’s claymation film Mona Lisa Descending a Staircase (have you seen it?!). But yeah, I adore the Caravaggio fruit basket, the Renoir umbrellas (and the clever shift to Manet? or just impressionism), the Monet garden, then spend a Sunday Afternoon in a Seurat, and then we move chronologically to post impressionism with van Gogh’s Café Terrace (with beautiful rendering of impasto), followed by a Miró (not sure :( ), then the abstract grid of Mondrian into a Japanese ink wash painting (don’t know which one!)- cute reference to Japonisme (the popularity of Japanese art in Europe, especially France). I thought the Syndics of the Draper’s Guild (Rembrandt) tipping their hats was funny! Back to Momet with an impression, sunrise background, the water lilies. We see Cupid in the park, Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David. And of course, the wonderful Toh Monet 🥳. Probably missed a few but thank you, Little Poet!

[@toooh]

wowww thank you for such an intellectual comment and for noticing Toh Monet loll The eastern paintings are actually Chinese paintings mostly by an artist named Qi Baishi. The artists are also listed in the credits! But otherwise the analysis is great and I'm glad you enjoyed it! :) I'll make sure to check out Mona Lisa Descending a Staircase again as I watched it a loooong time ago

[@goodnight.socialite]

Oh my days!! thanks for responding! Oops sorry about that mistake, art history is really eurocentric where i study >_< But I will check out Qi Baishi. I noticed the artists were listed in the credits after I wrote this (oops!) but I hope I got the order somewhat right. Thanks for your corrections!

[@goodnight.socialite]

Also, now noticing my mistakes! All the reason to study more 🤭

[@SquirtleSquad443]

I really like how they didn’t need to look like the little French boy for the girl in the painting to like them 😭 I want to get to know this world more, it’s so lovely.

[@nssuresh4849]

Wow, this is incredible! You've done an outstanding job adding movement to all these paintings, I'm so impressed. I always look forward to your animations, well done!

[@riv3r_mango705]

A work of charm; a work of art. The colors, the warmth fill my heart. I’m crying, smiling, blubbering all at the same time. No words I can conjure can match the little poet’s rhyme.

[@amarised]

i cried when i saw this at open show AND at producers show..😭 i haven’t seen such a sweet and original film like this in such a long time and it’s so so so amazing. the visuals are stunning, this is truly a work of art. congrats!!!!❤❤

[@lesteryaytrippy7282]

Please give Kanako Ozawa a big hug for that cute dumpling sculpture. This is so good. Never thought I'd see ekphrasis art as an animation.

[@HuesitadeChabacano]

I’m so absolutely in love with this film and I really thought it couldn’t get any better than “The Pretty Duckling” But you definitely proved me wrong, I really cannot describe how much I adore you’re work what a fantastic job ❤

[@Wuzeio]

the reveal of him being a statue was so well done T_T waughh ive watched this so many times.. the way you incorporated the different art paintings, the compositing and voice acting aHHHH i love everything about this!!

[@rubeenabano7687]

2:35 Never hated a catfish more in my life.

[@robertoquintero2505]

this really make me cry, in a good way. this is beautifull, i feel all the love and effort you all put in this animation and im really glad that i've saw this. thank you

[@primejourney946]

Oh my word, this is the sweetest, most beautiful little precious thing I've stumbled upon on KZbin. ;W; Everything it is so wonderful -- the animation, the little narrator, the poetry, the love and passion for art seeping through-- I want to hug that little ghost poet so badly. He's so cute!! Thank you so much for this. It's wonderful in every way, and your animation prize is well earned!!

[@abiss2951]

He doesn’t need to live in a painting, he’s already living in our hearts. 💕

[@cuffinosanjuan]

This is my first time seeing animation style like this, it fells so dreamy and nostalgic

[@cicianamumu]

Aaah, brought me to tears... Very good use of popular paintings, classical music and a very pleasant voice actor.

[@johnsonken96]

I'm overwhelmed with how much work went into this. Bravo.

[@borkedtoast]

awww, this is so wholesome and adorable!! the concept is so cool, i love the transitions from various paintings and art styles, as well as the poem made for the little girl in the painting! also congrats on winning your prize!! it's well deserved hehehe

[@Eggifer]

Sobbing, crying, and smiling at the same time

[@nataliar7922]

This is of my favorite calarts animations this year!!! Simply, wow! the artstyle is so cute, and the way you replicate so many other artstyles with perfection is amazingly visually pleasing!! the poem was hecka well written, and this overall was just adorable, and super duper pretty!! animation very smooth too, and i admire how individual and unique this is. I hope u get the best of the grades u could get of this!!

[@cassidyr2287]

I love watching the short films CalArts students put out every year and O got to say this is my favorite! The voice actors are great and I aspire to be as artistic as you 💞

[@hinoka2359]

I just wanted to mention that I showed this to my 60+ y/o parents, and they both really loved it. I haven't seen something hold their attention like this in ages, and my dad couldn't stop saying how smart this was, and how much he loved it. Well done, and thank you for the beautiful animation ❤️

[@iluvheechuu]

This has moved me so much!!! children's books and their simple words had always somehow to our surprise be so profound. Cupid speaking was the cherry on top!

[@user-em9mt4hj5o]

This is the sweetest concept oh my god! The narration is so cute and the color palette and art style complement it really well, it feels so youthful and wholesome... I also love the spin on the classic paintings. Magical

[@kimchi8022]

This is so beautiful. The complete dread you feel when the fish asked “what if she says no?” was portrayed so well. The positive response really made to our optimistic egg a lovely character.

[@moss5356]

4:20 he’s real ‼️

[@_Adrian_Llarena_]

As a person that loves art, I so love this! What I love about animated films is that they make me feel sympathy towards a character that doesn't even exist. Proves how good filmmaker you are. I wish I could live in your short film.😊❤

[@danica1374]

The seamless use of various art styles are absolutely captivating!!!! AND THE OPEN ENDING AHHHHH I HAVE HOPE FOR THEM GAWD PLEASE LIVE HAPPILY

[@TheScarp21]

Best love letter you can think of, such honesty, such kindness, and such a true love it is, thank you messieurs.

[@Dissectation]

so cute! love all the different art styles, the story, the letter that just read "bonjour", the voice acting, the animation OF COURSE........ hope they become friends!!

[@chimpobox]

this was soooo beautiful! so poetic, so artistic in very different ways

[@forestgranted]

this is my absolute favorite thing in the world. i'm crying. this is the cutest thing ever. i love that you can see the brushstrokes of the paintings. this is so so wonderful i won't be able to stop thinking about this for years to come.

[@SantiZX]

This is the best short film I’ve seen, period.

[@EmilyMGin]

AHHHHH MY HEART AHHHHH, this is sooo adorable T-T Astrid's voice and the story huuu, and cupid and the fish were so funny 😂

[@SakuraOpalArt]

Justine you are so crazy........... i love this film so much you don't even know :"))) 🖼🦆

[@Blue_Berries_4_You]

the animation style is soo cute and the voice for the character is too cute!!

[@d_rivadeneyra]

Absolutely gorgeous choice of music. Love Listz and Schumann.

[@keenscribbles]

I don’t know why I’m crying. I find this story so lovely and beautiful, as well as the references to older art styles and even the narration and rhymes.

[@ineedumonstataclobbadatder4499]

The rhymes, the artstyle, the background, the music, everything was done to perfection. Amazing work.

[@Me.yahyaa]

Poetry, art, animation are just love. ^⁠_⁠^

[@Jann-Aron]

I'm not kidding - this geniunely teared me up. The first time I watched the whole thing, I was sobbing a bit. But watching it the second time, I was just bawling. The little poet is someone I understand completely, and it reminded me of myself. I hope all his dreams come true. I've never felt such a connection with a short film before.

[@halletelen9825]

saw this coz i missed this animation but it rlly made me cri. I really miss this child like wonder, dream and ambition. Its something I rlly lost as time went on. Or more like coz of the toxic environment I was in that I didn't get a space to be like this. But watching this made me feel like the wonder I used to have. Thank you for this (like for real im crying and its nearing midnight, time to sleep)

[@toha7924]

I THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAVE LIKE A MILLION VIEWS WHY IS THIS SO UNDERRATED?? 😀

[@harunatsu6756]

We can fix this

[@cuffinosanjuan]

right this film deserve more recognition

[@harryathornton4463]

I don't know why it took me so long to finally watch this, but I'm happy I finally did! The visuals are absolutely wonderful, and I'm also so impressed that such a good twist was included in the story, given its length!

[@strawbeary_nectar]

This is the cutest most precious thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life😭, I hope the little poets dreams come true

[@CherryNah]

This have so many references and the main character is just lovely

[@kayleenguyen.]

this is the cutest thing I have seen all day

[@user-wb7zp4sb2m]

this is incredible! I love your movie, and how they move, the detail, and the colour! i love your art style, and also the story! im crying aaa😭 congrats for winning the award sir!

[@sofialg4251]

THIS IS SO CUTE AND BEAUTIFUL!! I’m so glad I found this film, probably one of my favorites now. You did an amazing job! The art, the style, the music, the poem, the story… It’s amazing, really. 🤍🌷

[@melya1447]

This animation deserve more!! Like the story, quality, sound, animation, and all of this is masterpiece ✨✨

[@mlcartdesign2270]

This film gave me so much joy to watch. It’s not only so well crafted and thorough , but so sweet. I made a short film similar in the sense that the main character goes through different historical paintings, and when I found this I was so excited. It felt like everything I had tried to capture, but with so much heart and amazing animation involved. Phenomenal work!

[@tiennguyennhatthao3447]

Awww I've never thought I could fall in love this way. Wholesome, genius, gentle, inspiring, cute,...all those words and I still cannot describe how much I love this work. Thank you for making such a beautiful animation that touched my heart so much!

[@lohaynecardosobuzzi4236]

The art, the music, the animation, the poem... Everything is so perfect, this is a splendid work! It was such a joy to watch this video!

[@zorrononoa277]

This is the sweetest short I’ve ever seen 🥺 thank you for sharing it with us!

[@Ruby_Key]

I will legit watch this forever, this is going in the watch again list, its so delightful

[@tamoghnadey2207]

So beautifully made and the concept is so heartwarming! Well done, its super inspiring to see such amazing work!

[@vellouki]

this was so beautiful? and pure and innocent and absolutely stunning?? I almost cried this deserves everything?? I’m just happy the… rock-baby? got to live in a painting after all. and I hope they’ll live happily ever after:)

[@mikuritaku]

This is absolutely beautiful! Both animation and story wise! I’m obsessed!!!

[@RentandWicked]

I am almost crying, this was so funny and cute and so very sweet and as an art history nerd this was a pleasure to watch!

[@ic3019]

Wow. I typically dont comment, but this short is rllly worth it. The animation is spectacular, I am in awe of the seamless blend of artstyles and the visually stunning result. The most striking for me was the was emotion is so clearly transmitted. The story is so beautiful, a strike of hope in a lonely life, with a childlike voice and innocence, delivered in such an endearing way by the voice actors!!! ❤❤ a 10/10

[@princesspeaches]

this is the greatest thing ever to exist its so beautiful thanks for sharing this work of art

[@brynb4906]

This is so cute and lovely! I love this unique concept and the color schemes between each of the art styles flow so well! I'm sure it took a lot of time and planning to create something this fluid and so heart warming!

[@fufu_kunnn]

The colours and characters are all so warm.. my heart ❤ Bless the creators of this little film, man. I don't say that often, but thry deserve all the praise they get for such a lovely piece of art

[@Vanillaqyoo]

One of the best written animations I have ever seen.. so much quality, care & love put into this !! 🤍

[@nokia3031]

this was so cute, i'm on the floor crying

[@The7thDraconian]

God, this is adorable and so wonderfully drawn. The way all the different styles and the poetry combine creates something truly special.

[@God-ke4qu]

This little Poet is better than most poets I know. Although it looks to be only a duet with the film and art; I would love to see the script, how a poet writes often shows which metaphors and words to emphasize on. Even if the audio has already emphasized it.

[@mp3studio69]

the incooperation of classic modern painting is so pretty and the fact that the art style kinda changed is so good and yummy

[@randomopotato]

Y'all this is so soft and so cute QvQ Everything in this film works so well together from the story to the animation to the music and to the voice acting. It all just melds with each other so well, with each one complementing every other facet of the film. I'm so glad to have stumbled upon this little gem in the sea of recommended videos.

[@firstlast7510]

Of all the calarts shorts, this one stands out the most, congrats🎉🎉

[@loanicastillo3327]

I (wish) would love an hour long video or several chapters at least. 😢 Love that little guy, the paintings, the girl and that goose!!!!!! I loved when the goose was eating the fish! And I hoped it would have a second one. Hahaha I loved when they went to either China or Japan. So nice! Loved the Rain pouring. The night scenary, silence and solitude in the museum.

[@dmorfo4359]

A real masterpiece. And I was especially touched by your animation, because I also have such a special painting, and to see it I often come to the museum

[@faenene]

This is so incredibly sweet!! The animation and voice acting are adorable, and the concept is wonderful. I hope they get to live happily ever after!

[@crystallorraine8704]

Just as my thoughts have been running around about kindness and joy, I come across this sweet animation. It brings joy to my heart not just by the story or the characters or the art itself but more by the sweet voice of the child adding to the animation. This one really made my day. Experiencing a whole different level of peace and joy watching this. This lives in my heart going forward

[@kleckskind]

Cuteness overload! Its clever made, inspired by traditional art, wonderfully voiced & a very nice and authentic world-building. T^T

[@melshinta2966]

THIS IS SO SWEET I CANT. I love how simplified our narrator / mc is but so detailed and full everything else is, it makes our mc the most adorable

[@ameliaroseillustrations]

This is so beautiful and wonderfully animated! I love the way you brought all the classic paintings to life. 🤍✨🤍✨🤍

[@Muiiart]

Justineeee 🎉🎉 here after the Annie’s 💕💕💕 congrats !!!!!!!!!!!

[@forgottozhonya957]

I have never seen an animation just like yours. The poetry, the Jumping to different paintings. This is adorable!!

[@crafteariee]

what a beautiful film! I adore how seamlessly you blended the various art movements you explored in this piece. This story warmed my heart. Congrats on completing this wonderful project! 💕

[@paperaviator]

that was so beautiful i'm crying T0T

[@mlitlord4793]

✨🧡 so cute I love the colors and how the animation flows Congratulations on your prize!!

[@monserratlara7181]

I'M SOBBING, THIS IS SO CUTE, i love the animation so much, the music was so beautiful and the transitions so clear, and the little poet is definitely a very good gentleman❤

[@thelessercat]

this is so beautiful and sweet!!!! it reminds me of a childhood cartoon i would watch as a young child. this feels just as comforting!

[@hmredacted2123]

This is such a sweet, tender little film. Gave my heart a little squeeze. You should be very proud of how it came together!!

[@JJLindal]

This is so beautiful!

[@tessdrangonfly]

The term "first love" always stays in the present. Bravo.

[@gwagwa5964]

This is so warm and beautiful story you guys made! So grateful can see this beautiful animation.

[@Nazgul100]

This made me cry from sheer happiness. It was the sweetest thing i have ever seen and so incredibly beautiful, soft and warm. Thank you for making this

[@ziggykim282]

ohmygod this is so precious it made me cry 😭 (the art and storytelling are both of such high caliber that mainstream media pales in comparison :(( i hope more people get to see and experience this!)

[@AstridLem]

Awww it’s so awesome seeing it all together!! I had so much playing our little poet ❤️ Beautiful work Justine, this story, the animation, it’s all such a masterpiece!!

[@Victoria_Chappell]

WOW that prize was VERY deserved. This is so beautiful. NEVER stop creating 💜

[@lucyshnyr5647]

Watched this about 20 times since I discovered it… so mesmerizing. Merci beaucoup Justine.

[@flumazee]

This is the cutest thing ever!!! It’s so creative and whimsical and I absolutely love the concept of them moving through the art movements and famous paintings. I was wondering why the little poet.. were they actually a sculpture all along or pretending to be on so they could live in the museum hahaha

[@estebanazofeifa1083]

I don't know why you were able to make me cry, but damn. Congratulations for such a fantastic job with the animation!! The diferent animation styles were awesome :'P

[@nathmyproblem]

I will forever remember this work of art. You have my word. Thank you.

[@InTheWillows75]

THIS IS ALL I EVER WANTED TO SEE?! THE CUTENESS?! THE ART REFERENCES?!?! THE POETRY?!?! TRAGIC ROMANCE?!?! AAAAAA

[@jennyduong2466]

I loved the Pretty Duckling a lot, and you’ve hit it out of the park again with this wonderful piece.