Cuban Sandwich Show
July 8- August 8
LES BLANK
TRIBUTE- Film Schedule
Screenings at
Grownman Studios, 6412 Central Ave, Tampa!
Tickets $5.00.
Tribute pass to all screenings $25.00
Monday, July 8: Gap-Toothed Women (1987), with host Victoria Jorgensen's
The Moving
Feast (2006)
Tuesday, July 9: A Well Spent Life (1971); Sworn To the Drum: A Tribute to
Francisco Aguabella 1995
Wednesday July
10: Innocents Abroad (1991)
Thursday July
11: Garlic Is As Good
As Ten Mothers (1980); Yum,
Yum, Yum (1990)
Friday July 12: The Maestro: King of the Cowboy
Artists (1995); Puamana (1991)
Saturday July
13: (10 am - 7 pm) Sworn
to the Drum; Before! (Huey
Lewis and the
News); The Blues Accordin to Lightin' Hopkins; In Heaven
There is No
Beer?; Always for Pleasure; Jai Ete Au Bal (I Went to the
Dance); Marc and
Ann; Chulas Fronteras (Beautiful Borders); Sprout
Wings and Fly;
Hot Pepper.
8:00 pm: Werner
Herzog Eats His Shoe; Burden of Dreams
.
Wednesday July
17: All In This Tea
Wednesday July
24: Six Short Films (At 5805 N. Florida-photo exhibit opening)
Wednesday July
31: In Heaven There Is
No Beer? and J’ai Été Au Bal / I Went to the
Dance
Synopsis:
All In This Tea 2007
All In This Tea takes us into the world of tea by following
world-renowned tea expert David Lee Hoffman to some of the most remote regions
of China in search of the best handmade teas in the world. Hoffman is obsessed;
during his youth, he spent four years with Tibetan monks in Nepal, which
included a friendship with the Dalai Lama, and was introduced to some of the
finest tea – that golden nectar with which we can taste the distant past. 84
min.
Always For Pleasure 1978
An intense insider’s portrait of New Orleans’ street
celebrations and unique cultural gumbo: Second-line parades, Mardi Gras, Jazz
Fest. Features live music from Professor Longhair, the Wild Tchoupitoulas, the
Neville Brothers and more. This glorious, soul-satisfying film is among Blank’s
special masterworks. 58 min.
A Well Spent Life 1971
Many people consider Texas bluesman Mance Lipscomb to be the
greatest blues guitarist and songster of all time. This glowing portrait of the
legendary musician (also life-long husband and sharecropper) is among Blank’s
special masterworks. Instead of growing bitter, tough times made Lipscomb
sweet. 44 min.
The Blues Accordin’ to Lightnin’ Hopkins 1969
The great Texas bluesman Lightnin’ Hopkins is captured
brilliantly in this deeply moving film. Blank reveals Lightnin’s inspiration,
and features a generous helping of classic blues. Includes performances at an
outdoor barbeque and a black rodeo; and a visit to his boyhood town of
Centerville, Texas. This powerful portrait is among Blank’s special
masterworks. 31 min.
Burden of Dreams 1982
An extraordinary feature-length documentary about the
messianic German director Werner Herzog struggling against desperate odds in
the Amazon basin to make his epic feature, Fitzcarraldo. Burden of Dreams was honored with a British Academy
Award for Best Documentary of 1982. Many critics consider it Blank’s most
awesome film. 91 min.
Chicken Real 1970
A surrealistic (and often hilarious) look at a large-scale
chicken farm that produces 156 million chickens a year! Lots of chicken songs.
23 min.
Cigarette Blues 1985
Oakland bluesman Sonny Rhodes sings “Cigarette Blues”: a
musical warning that compares cigarette smoking with playing with a loaded gun.
6 min.
Chulas Fronteras Beautiful Borders 1976
A complex, insightful look at the Chicano experience as
mirrored in the lives and music of the most acclaimed Norteño musicians of the
Texas-Mexican border, including Flaco Jimenez and Lydia Mendoza. 58 min.
Del Mero Corazon Straight From the Heart 1979
A lyrical journey through the heart of Chicano culture as
reflected in the love songs of the Tex-Mex Norteña music tradition. 28 min.
Dizzy Gillespie 1965
Rare images of immortal bebop jazzman Dizzy Gillespie as he
talks about his beginnings and music theories — and blows a lot of hot music on
his famous bent horn. 22 min.
Dry Wood 1973
A fascinating look at black Creole life in French Louisiana,
held together by the wild, insistent music of Bois-Sec Ardoin and Canray
Fontenot. 37 min.
Gap-Toothed Women 1987
A charming valentine to women born with a space between
their teeth, ranging from lighthearted whimsy to a deeper look at issues like
self-esteem and societal attitudes toward standards of beauty. Interviews were
conducted with over one hundred women, including model Lauren Hutton and
Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. 31min.
Garlic is as Good as Ten Mothers 1980
A zesty paean of praise to the greater glories of garlic.
This lip-smacking foray into the history, consumption, cultivation and
culinary/curative powers of the stinking rose features chef Alice Waters of
Chez Panisse, and a flavorful musical soundtrack. The SF Chronicle called this
film “a joyous, nose-tweaking, ear-tingling, mouth-watering tribute to a Life
Force.” Nothing less than a hymn to the stinking rose of the kitchen, this
lovingly photographed documentary is an odyssey of garlic feasts alternated
with uniquely individual interviews of garlic afficionados. In 2004 ‘Garlic’
was one of 25 films, selected by The Library Of Congress, to be added to the
National Film Registry list of now 400 motion pictures, to be preserved in
perpetuity. Les’ Chulas Fronteras was selected previously for The National Film Registry.
Only two other documentarians, Frederick Wiseman and Albert Maysles, have as
many non-fiction films represented in the registry. 51 min.
God Respects Us When We Work, But Loves Us When We
Dance 1968
Hippies and flower children dance and create rituals at the
historic Los Angeles “Love-In” of Easter Sunday, 1967. This ’60s classic
documents a once-in a lifetime phenomenon, preserving all the fashions, energy
and idealism of the first “alternative lifestyles.” Psychedelic special effects!
10 min.
Hot Pepper 1973
Thrilling musical portrait of Zydeco King Clifton Chenier,
who combines the pulsating rhythms of Cajun dance music and black R&B with
African overtones, belting out his irresistible music in the sweaty juke joints
of South Louisiana. 54 min.
Huey Lewis And The News: Be-Fore! 1986
Huey Lewis And The News: Be-Fore! follows one of the world’s
top rock-and-roll bands of the 80′s and a crew of fifty technicians to the
Bahamas for the making of a music video for their number one hit single, “Stuck
With You” for their album, “FORE!” Blank
takes us behind the scenes for an off-beat look at what happens when a song is
transformed into visuals and musicians are transformed into actors. Hidden in
the straightforward reportage are sly comments on the MTV machine, sexism in
the media, and the business of rock-and-roll. Best of all, Huey Lewis and the
News maintain their sense of humor even when absurdity threatens to overwhelm
them. 31 min.
In Heaven There Is No Beer? 1984
A joyous romp through the dance, food, music, friendship,
and even religion of the Polka. The explosive energy and high spirits of the
polka subculture are rendered with warmth and dedication to scholarship in this
journey through Polish-American celebrations. Polka stars like Jimmy Sturr,
Eddie Blazonzyck and Walt Solek are featured. 50 min.
Innocents Abroad 1991
A warmly amusing look at a bus-full of American tourists on
a whirlwind tour of Europe. The eclectic soundtrack includes Mozart, Bob Dylan,
Sandy Denny, Jonathan Richman, others. 84 min.
J’ai Été Au Bal / I Went to the Dance 1989
The definitive film on the history of the toe-tapping,
foot-stomping music of French Southwest Louisiana. Includes many Cajun and
Zydeco greats, featuring Michael Doucet and Beausoleil, Clifton Chenier, Marc
and Ann Savoy, D.L. Menard, and others. 84 min.
Julie: Old Time Tales of the Blue Ridge 1991
80-year-old Julie Lyon, sister of Old Time fiddler Tommy
Jarrell, lights up this gem of a film as she spins tales of her Appalachian
childhood in North Carolina — and her first romance.
The Maestro: King of the Cowboy Artists 1994
What happens when a dedicated husband and father quits his
job, adopts the persona of a Western-Movie Singing Cowboy, takes on the entire
art establishment (including Christo and Andy Warhol), and refuses to accept
money for his art ? Meet Gerry Gaxiola, AKA The Maestro, who gave up everything
to make art for art’s sake. 54 min.
The Maestro Rides Again! 2005
Les Blank continued filming the Maestro after the original
film “The Maestro: King of the Cowboy Artists” was completed. Here are the
Maestro’s latest creations and more on his uncompromising philosophy of art and
life.
Marc & Ann 1991
Enchanting portrait of Marc and Ann Savoy, Cajun musicians
who are dedicated to the preservation and continuance of Cajun culture. Marc is
an irreverent storyteller and accordion maker; his wife Ann is the mother of
four, and author of the book Cajun Music: Reflection of a People. 27 min.
My Old Fiddle: A Visit with Tommy Jarrell in the Blue
Ridge 1994
The long-awaited sequel to Sprout Wings and Fly (Les Blank’s
first film about this homegrown Appalachian fiddler and raconteur) is a gentle
celebration of mountain living, a once-thriving American way of life. This
portrait showcases Tommy’s unpretentious folk wisdom and reminiscences. The
soundtrack features his singing and fiddling, spiced with a visit to the
Smithsonian to test-drive an authentic Stradivarius violin. 28 min.
Puamana 1991
Aloha! This gentle portrait of Auntie Irmgard Farden Aluli,
one of Hawaii’s best loved composers, focuses on Hawaiian women’s contributions
to family structure, art, music and dance. An intimate glimpse into the real
culture of the islands. 37 min.
Running Around Like A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off 1960
Les Blank’s first student film, starring Gail Blank, Pieter
Van Deusen, and Les himself. An hommage to Ingmar Bergman’s Seventh Seal, the
film that inspired Blank to become a filmmaker. 6 min.
Spend It All 1971
A rich portrayal of the lives and music of the
French-speaking Cajuns of Louisiana, featuring the Balfa Brothers, Marc Savoy
and Nathan Abshire. 41 min.
Sprout Wings and Fly 1983
This touching tribute to Appalachian culture profiles
legendary, old-time fiddler Tommy Jarrell. His unpretentious folk wisdom is
interlaced with family scenes and reminiscences, plus plenty of old-time music.
30 min.
The Sun’s Gonna Shine 1969
A lyrical recreation of Lightnin’ Hopkins’ decision at age
eight to stop chopping cotton and start singing for a living. 10 min.
Sworn To the Drum: A Tribute to Francisco Aguabella 1995
When you think of Latin percussion, think of Francisco
Aguabella. Perhaps the finest Afro-Cuban master percussionist still living, he
has become synonymous with his instrument — one of the highest compliments a
musician can receive. Carlos Santana reveres him. Bill Graham honored him.
Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, Tito Puente, Peggy Lee and Weather Report swear
by him. He’s a master of Bata (the sacred Santeria drumming tradition), Abaqua
and Yeza, and secular Afro-Cuban jazz and salsa styles. Born in Matanzas, Cuba,
Francisco Aguabella is a master of the Yoruba-derived bata drums and rumba form
as well as contemporary traditions including Cuban son, salsa, and Latin jazz.
35 min.
Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe 1979
Yes, German film director Werner Herzog really does eat his
shoe to fulfill a vow to fellow filmmaker Errol Morris — boldly exemplifying
his belief that people must have the guts to attempt what they dream of.
Inspiring.
Yum, Yum, Yum! A Taste of Cajun and Creole Cooking 1990
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, Marc Savoy, Paul Prudhomme, and other great cooks. 31 min.
Ziveli! Medicine for the Heart 1987
This little-known Blank gem is a portrait of the
Serbian-American communities of Chicago and California, highlighting their
history in this country, their music, dancing and religion. 51 minutes.
