Portrait of the Cajun lifestyle in Southwest Louisiana from documentary master Les Blank.
Cajun music is evolved from its roots in the music of the French-speaking Catholics of Canada. In earlier years the fiddle was the predominant instrument, but gradually the accordion has come to share the limelight. This short film perfectly captures that blend (even featuring a man fixing an accordion).
This is what makes Blank's work so good. He takes the music, but rather than isolating it, shows the culture and people surrounding it. Just as with the hippies of Los Angeles or the blues of Texas, there is an upbringing -- food, activities, heritage -- that inspires this music.
