Directed by Les Blank • 1973 • United States
A companion piece to DRY WOOD that was filmed simultaneously, this is an energetic portrait of the Grammy-winning Creole musician Clifton Chenier, a.k.a. the King of Zydeco. HOT PEPPER brings viewers into the Louisiana juke joints where Chenier plays his unique music, which synthesizes elements of traditional Cajun dance tunes and black R&B with African-inflected percussion. Chenier’s accordion-driven rhythms and sophisticated melodies are unforgettably catchy, and Les Blank beautifully captures the music’s propulsive, foot-tapping joy on film.
Up Next in Documentaries by Les Blank
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A Poem Is a Naked Person
Directed by Les Blank • 1974 • United States
Les Blank considered this free-form feature documentary about beloved singer-songwriter Leon Russell, filmed between 1972 and 1974, to be one of his greatest accomplishments. Yet it has not been released until now. Hired by Russell to film him at his ...
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Always for Pleasure
Directed by Les Blank • 1978 • United States
his 1978 documentary is Les Blank’s celebration of the spirit and social traditions of New Orleans, featuring Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations as well as musical performances by Allen Toussaint, Kid Thomas Valentine, Professor Longhair, a...
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Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers
Directed by Les Blank • 1980 • United States
In this love letter to “the stinking rose,” documentarian Les Blank interviews garlic fanatics of all stripes, from cooks to members of garlic appreciation societies.
