Award-winning
Cajun documentary maker Pat Mire takes us on a
trip to a
rural Cajun community in South Louisiana,
as we follow the fortunes of a young architect
who leaves New Orleans to return to his parentsâ
rice farm following the death of his father.
As
Ben is seduced by the challenge of rice farming
in a falling market and the attentions of an old
flame, he decides to swap
the rat race and superficiality of city life
for a far more real struggle to save his
heritage and rediscover his true roots.
Uneven
acting and cursory shots of the cuisine and the
scenery, like the swooping crop-duster
silhouetted momentarily against a spectacular
sunset, leave you hungry for more.
But
these shortcomings are outweighed by the
compensations. Mire gives us a sensitive and
perceptive insight into the ethnic
culture and language of a Cajun community
set in his hometown of Eunice in Louisiana.
To
watch them celebrate their own version of Mardi
Gras – a strange event rarely witnessed by
outsiders, which includes chasing a chicken – is
a treat in store. Curious dishes like gumbo,
jambalaya and dirty rice, which takes its name
from the specks of liver which discolour the
rice, are also on the menu.
Best
of all is the music. Accordion, fiddle, guitar,
percussion and vocals are the line-up in a typical
Cajun band, which is afforded plenty of
occasions to strike up. The stereo soundtrack is
excellent and the music alone is enough make
this film a must.
Susan
Wolk
Dirty
Rice premiered at the London Film Festival in
November
2000,
was introduced by Louisiana-born writer and
director Pat Mire and
is awaiting UK distribution
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