Survivors: The Blues Today

I saw this film at the premiere on Minneapolis's West Bank in 1984. It was shot at Wilebski's Blues Saloon in St. Paul. The family has since sold the blues bar, which continues to showcase regional and national blues talent. If you can find this movie its a great one for blues fans, featuring John Lee Hooker, the Gravanetes Band, Lady Bianca, Ben Sidran, Doctor John, Willie and the Bees, the Minnesota Barking Ducks and others. The producer Robert Schwartz went on to produce "Iron Will" for Disney and has since produced some tv movies. It seems a bit aimless at times as a story, but the performances are great. A time capsule for blues fans.

I was a student at Minneapolis College of Art and Design at that time in 1984.It was my second year at MCAD studying Media arts when Prof.Tom DeBiaso who edited the film selected me to work with the crew as a volunteer;looking back today the Good Professor did me a great favor.I am still in the film world working as a freelancer. This is a well made Picture by a well learned Professionals and very talented Musicians.I encourage music lovers to see this Film and every one else.It was filmed in the winter 1984 at the blues salon in the frog-town area of the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota.The room for the Production was tight and smoky;super 16 film stock was used for the initial shoot and was blown up into 35mm for theatrical release I think they did.Made for a German TV network originally with a small grant to Professor Cork M.I am on the credit roll at the end of the show,my first time on celluloid.Watch this film and you will come up happy.I will to add that the Production made use minimal equipments and manpower to save cost overrun limit out of town lodging time.The grant did not cover every cost as it was supposed to be made for a German TV network,also running time and color processing out of town was a definite production logistics that the Producers and Directors kept in mind. ENJOY.