By Michael Pelosi
Les Blank with son Harrod. Photo by Michael Pelosi
The first night of the Salem Film Festival was filled with as much depth as we’ve come to expect. The film buff locals– who bring as much weight as the films themselves, were even more intrigued by legendary documentarian Les Blank’s outstanding double feature.
As the Artist in Residence at SFF 2010, Blank’s two film, THE BLUES ACCORDIN’ TO LIGHTNIN’ HOPKINS and GARLIC IS AS GOOD AS TEN MOTHERS, not only won over the sold out crowd, they also gave us a glimpse of the man behind that cool calm demeanor.
Both were shot over three decades ago, yet still prove just as relevant in 2010. Inspired by Ingmar Bergman, Blank’s film background is made up mostly of films about the authenticity of American Traditional Music and portraying subjects with a great cultural context .
THE BLUES ACCORDIN’ TO LIGHTNIN’ HOPKINS depicts the life of legendary bluesman Lightnin’ Hopkins. The 31-minute film kept the audience engaged with its gentle portrait, rather than the driving narative, more in-your-face approach of some modern documentary filmmaking.
GARLIC IS AS GOOD AS TEN MOTHERS gave us a genuine look at the garlic phenomenon in a funny yet historical way. The film originally premiered at the Berlin Film Festival to rave reviews and the The Library of Congress praised the film for its “aesthetic significance.”
Blank recommends that when the film is shown an oven be provided in the rear of the theater to cook garlic. “There is something significant about watching a film about garlic and then having you smell it,” Blank said.
Les Blank answering audience questions. Photo by Michael Pelosi
After the screening of both films, Blank entered the theater to answer questions from the extrememly satisfied crowd. Most of the questions centered around the making of the films and why he chose these subjects.
With luck and skill on his side, Blank’s films often ”just sort of came together.”
Les Blank’s filmmaking genes were handed over to son Harrod, who has been seen around the festival. His film AUTOMORPHOSIS is screening on Sunday night and is gaining much attention already.
Regardless of your personal view on blues or garlic, it is highly improbable that you’ll leave CinemaSalem unsatisfied after viewing these works of art from a guy who undoubtedly is in a league of his own.
