Sweet Home New Orleans

January 17, 2006

When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, the legendary bluesman Fats Domino was filmed by news-cameras on the roof of his house, surrounded by the deep, dark flood water.

That moment prompted this film, on the unique musical heritage of New Orleans – its soundtrack and influence – and also on how the city’s musicians were coping with the devastation.

At that raw and emotional time, straight after the hurricane, we went to the homes of Goddess of Soul Irma Thomas, influential singer Clarence Frogman Henry and jazz clarinetist Michael White. We met Dr John and Allen Toussaint, and traced the city’s history and the rich variety of musical forms pioneered and perfected there.

Jools Holland, Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello were among those to offer perspectives from this side of the Atlantic. Stunning observational filming of a jazz funeral and in the streets and the clubs of this resilient city.

‘Rewarding’
Observer

‘riff in praise of the city’s musical legacy to the world’
Time Out

AWARDS

• Finalist, Rose D’or, Best Arts Film, 2007

LINKS

• IMDB