Le Petit will host the Film Festival portion of French Quarter Festival again this year with another stellar lineup of films that are free and open to the public. The Theatre is located at 616 St. Peter. Full schedule with film synopses:
Friday, April 8
11a A Tribute To Toussaint
Produced by Ron Yager, Jim Dotson & Greg Buisson
This Emmy-award winning concert documentary celebrates the life of Allen Toussaint – musician, composer, producer, and humanitarian. Starring Allen Toussaint and featuring Dr. John, Trombone Shorty, Elvis Costello, Irma Thomas, Deacon John, Cyril Neville, Jon Cleary, Joe Henry, Cyndi Lauper, Robert Plant and Jimmy Buffet.
After the sudden passing Allen Toussaint last year, Le Petit would like to dedicate this year’s French Quarter Fest Film Series in Mr. Toussaint’s honor by celebrating the life and legacy of one of New Orleans own musical masters. 67 Minutes. Q & A immediately following.
1p A Warehouse on Tchoupitoulas [WYES promo below]
Directed by Jessy Cale Williamson
On January 30th, 1970, A Warehouse on Tchoupitoulas opened it's doors to thousands of fans to see The Flock, Fleetwood Mac and The Grateful Dead. In the ensuing twelve years some of the best musicians in the world would grace the stage. Including - The Allman Brothers, Bob Dylan, The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Who, Bob Marley, David Bowie, Foghat, Jethro Tull, The Clash, The Talking Heads, Rush, Dr. John and many many more. This documentary captures the magic that so many of us missed out on. 75 Minutes. Q & A immediately following.
3p Never A Dull Moment - 20 Years of Rebirth Brass Band
Directed by Charlie Brown
Spanning the history of the band from their formation at Clark High School to their 20th Anniversary concert at Tipitina's, "Never A Dull Moment: 20 Years of the Rebirth Brass Band" tells the full story of New Orleans's premiere brass band. Featuring founders Phil Frazier (tuba) and Kermit Ruffins (trumpet), this rollicking film takes us on a trip throughout New Orleans, from Sunday second lines to Glass House to the Maple Leaf Bar and even into the studio, all told through the eyewitness accounts of some of the city's greatest (and funniest) characters. 85 Minutes.
Saturday, April 9
Films of Les Blank - Louisiana Double Feature
11a Hot Pepper
This film is a thrilling musical portrait of Zydeco King Clifton Chenier, who combines the pulsating rhythms of Cajun dance music, African overtones, and bluesy R&B into an irresistible melange mixed up in the sweaty juke joints of South Louisiana. 54 Minutes.
12p Yum, Yum, Yum
Les Blank marries his passion for spicy, down home food and his love for Cajuns and Creoles in this mouth-watering, exploration of the cooking, and other enthusiasms, of French-speaking Louisiana. Features tangy music, and food by Marc Savoy, Paul Prudhomme, and other greats. 30 Minutes.
1p Piano Players Rarely Play Together [excerpt below]
Directed by Stevenson Palfi
“Piano Players” is a portrait of three great New Orleans pianists and how they influenced one another’s music. It documents the best piano “professors” of the last three generations — New Orleans’ keyboard ace Isidore “Tuts” Washington, Henry “Professor Longhair” Byrd, and Allen Toussaint — as they played together for the first time in a rehearsal for a joint concert. The rehearsal turned out to be the ONLY time the three ever played together, because Professor Longhair died two days before the scheduled performance.
The documentary takes viewers through the very personal and sacred New Orleans tradition of a jazz wake and funeral procession for Professor Longhair, which was taped at the encouragement of his widow, Alice. Also included is the previously planned concert with Toussaint and Washington, who turned the event into a tribute to Fess.
Released to critical acclaim in 1982, “Piano Players Rarely Ever Play Together” is considered by many to be one of the most important and exciting explorations of New Orleans’ musical tradition ever made. It is the winner of over 20 awards. 80 Minutes. Q & A immediately following.
3p We Won't Bow Down [trailer below]
Directed by Christopher Levoy Bower
‘We Won’t Bow Down’ explores a secret society of African Americans in inner city New Orleans as they devote their time and skills to create hand-beaded Indian costumes that embody a cultural, spiritual and ancient power that has kept Africa alive in the new world despite slavery and it’s legacy. 95 Minutes. Q & A Immediately following.
Sunday, April 10
Films of Pat Mire - Louisiana Double Feature
11a Swapping Stories - Folktales from Louisiana
Tall tales, oyster shucking monsters, and some good old fashioned jokes are all on the menu in Swapping Stories: Folktales from Louisiana. This documentary film by Pat Mire brings together some of the best storytellers in Louisiana, including comedians A.J. Smith and Dave Petitjean, Creole storyteller Enola Mathews, and the late Bel Abbey and Colonel Ike Hamilton. 30 Minutes. Q & A immediately following.
11:45a Mon Cher Camarade
During World War II, hundreds of French-speaking Cajun men from South Louisiana enlisted in the U.S. military. French-speaking Cajuns not only worked with the French resistance after D-Day, but they also provided the U.S. Army’s most effective means of communication with local authorities and the civilian population, which, in turn, provided critical support and intelligence to the American army. This documentary film, through memoirs and interviews of French-speaking Cajuns who served in WWII either as members of the OSS or as citizen soldiers, tells the story of this important aspect of the American war effort in Europe. 60 Minutes.
1p Un Bal Cajun et Créole A La Maison (A Cajun & Creole House Party)
National Park Service Centennial Celebration
Directed by Jason Rhein
Concert and conversations at the historic Liberty Theater in Eunice, Louisiana, celebrating the National Park Service’s 100th birthday. This film, directed by Jason Rhein, spotlights the American treasures of Cajun and Creole music, featuring four musicians who are fluent speakers of Louisiana Cajun and Creole, and write new music using these traditional languages. 90 Minutes. Q & A immediately following.
Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, Leroy Etienne, Bruce Daigrepont, and Michael Doucet all share stories and the stage together to show why South Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole culture is unique and worth preserving.
3p From Roots to Roses
Directed by Patrick Marrero & Produced by Marlo Lacen
From Roots to Roses is a documentary film project that features the Roots of Music's Marching Crusaders and their journey from post- Katrina New Orleans to Pasadena, California to march in the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade. From the practices, to the fund raising, to the bus ride, to climactic march down Colorado Blvd., we follow the bands experience as it makes history as the only middle school aged band to play in the parade. 90 Minutes.
