A Poetic Film Inspired by Nina Simone’s “Four Women”

Created by Dr. Karen Moore

“My skin is Black… My manner is tough… My back is strong…”
– Nina Simone, Four Women

Blues Born of Fire is a cinematic requiem. A poetic meditation. A love letter to Black womanhood told in fire and whispers.

Inspired by the haunting brilliance of Nina Simone’s Four Women, this short film reimagines each archetype—Aunt Sarah, Saffronia, Sweet Thing, and Peaches—not as fixed identities, but as evolving embodiments of grief, survival, rage, and rebirth.

Combining striking visual imagery, original spoken word, and layered soundscapes, Blues Born of Fire offers both reflection and release for anyone who has ever carried the weight of being “too much” or “not enough” in someone else’s story.

Film Details

• Format: Short poetic film
• Runtime: Approx. 15 minutes
• Themes: Identity, colorism, generational trauma, liberation, ancestral memory
• Genre: Experimental/Poetic Documentary

Why It Matters

Blues Born of Fire creates a sacred space for Black women to see themselves not in fragments, but as full. This film doesn’t just honor Nina Simone’s vision—it expands it, offering a contemporary response rooted in spoken word and Black feminine power.

It is an act of reverence.
A cinematic altar.
A moment to pause, remember, and rise.

Host a Screening

Perfect for:

• Black arts & culture festivals
• Black History Month & Women’s History Month events
• Universities (African American Studies, Women’s Studies, Film/Media)
• Museums and curated art salons

Optional Add-ons:

• Filmmaker Q&A with Dr. Karen Moore
• Live poetry reading or discussion panel
• Unbound: Writing the Stories We Were Never Meant to Tell - For Black Women
  A creative writing and storytelling workshop that helps Black Women participants release silence, confront personal and cultural barriers, and find power in their authentic voice.
• From Blind Spots to Bridges: Conversations on Bias and Belonging
  A guided dialogue and reflection experience open to all races, using the film as a catalyst to explore unconscious bias, empathy, and shared humanity.

About the Creator

Dr. Karen Moore is a poet, filmmaker, and cultural storyteller whose work centers the power, beauty, and resilience of dark-skinned Black women. Through layered narrative and artistic innovation, she invites audiences to witness truth—and to transform.