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I Went to the Dance
One of the documentary form's most prolific artists, Les Blank was interested in many subjects (including Werner Herzog eating his shoe), but he always came back to music. Many of his films screened at the Chicago International Film Festival over the years, including the Gold Hugo winning *The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins* in 1970. This is the definitive film on the history of the toe-tapping, foot-stomping music of French Southwest Louisiana, including many Cajun and Zydeco greats, featuring Michael Doucet and Beausoleil, Clifton Chenier, Marc and Ann Savoy, D.L. Menard, and many others. For those new to the musical scene, or Blank's career, it is the perfect introduction. I Went to the Dance was an Official Selection at the 25th Anniversary Festival in 1989.
