NEW ORLEANS MUSIC IN EXILE
Special Features: Filmmaker Robert Mugge and Diana Zelman, his wife and filmmaking partner, will introduce the film and sell/sign copies of his book, "Notes from the Road: A Filmmaker's Journey Through American Music" in the lobby before and after the screening.
Two months after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, dispersing its residents to cities around the country, Robert Mugge and his new filmmaking partner (and future wife) Diana Zelman took a crew to Memphis, Tennessee; New Orleans and Lafayette, Louisiana; and Houston and Austin, Texas, not only to capture the devastation wrought by the storm and breached levees, but also to record the recollections, challenges and aspirations of a New Orleans music community now living largely in exile. Much of the way through shooting, project funding from Starz Entertainment Group was still tentative, dependent on imagery and performances yet to be captured. As production proceeded, however, the gathered footage was so powerful that Starz finally made a full commitment. Variety's Eddie Cockrell called the resulting film, "An intimate and eye-opening meditation on the resiliency of the artists and the magnitude of the loss." Steve Hammer of NUVO in Indianapolis added, "This film is a tragic yet triumphant story of the human spirit and the ability of artists to transcend their problems. It serves as an inspiration to us all." Among participating artists were Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Cyril Neville, Marcia Ball, Eddie Bo, Theresa Andersson, Kermit Ruffins, The Iguanas, Jon Cleary, Rebirth Brass Band and many more. DIR/PROD Robert Mugge; PROD Diana Zelman. U.S., 2006, color, 113 min. NOT RATED
AFI Member passes accepted.
Run Time: 113 Minutes
Opening Date: Sunday, November 19, 2023
Genre: Documentary - music
