Hot Pepper. 1973. Directed by Les Blank

Film

No upcoming events

Hot Pepper. 1973. USA. Directed by Les Blank. Courtesy Janus Films.

Hot Pepper. 1973. USA. Directed by Les Blank. With Clifton Chenier, Cleveland Chenier, Robert St. Julien. DCP. 54 min.

In this companion piece to Dry Wood, Les Blank’s study of Dry Wood Ardoin and Cajun music, Blank delves further into the history, style, and spirit of Gulf Coast musical culture, this time training his eyes and ears on Grammy-winning Creole musician Clifton Chenier, aka the King of Zydeco. With extensive scenes of live performances, jovial yapping, and insightful interviews, Blank dives into the complex colors and inspirations of Chenier’s music and Zydeco more broadly, with its mixed elements of R&B, African percussion, and traditional Cajun dance music—to say nothing of the drive and pleasure of Chenier’s pulsating, soulful way with the accordion. Like Blank’s Always for Pleasure, this isn’t a film you just watch, it’s a film you tap your feet to.

This film accompanies When the World Broke Open: Katrina and Its Afterlives.

Past events

Sat, Sep 20, 2025, 4:30 p.m.

MoMA, Floor T2, Theater 2

The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 2
Thu, Sep 18, 2025, 4:00 p.m.

introduced by Maya S. Cade

MoMA, Floor T2, Theater 2

The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 2

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