With music as crucial to the success of films as it is to New Orleans culture, highlighting music in the New Orleans Film Festival is not just sensible, but a guarantee. Screening alongside the 23rd annual event — which kicks off Thursday, October 11 — keeping{SCORE} makes its second annual appearance. Events will be held mainly at the New Orleans Museum of Art, though select screenings can be found at Zeitgeist Multidisciplinary Arts Center, the Old U.S. Mint, Prytania Theatre, and the Theaters at Canal Place.
The series includes, of course, six music-themed films concentrating on the struggles of a variety of musicians’ lives and careers.
A still from True Family, screening Oct. 15 at the Old U.S. Mint.
Of particular note is True Family, a documentary about Meschiya Lake and the experience of performing on Royal Street. The film screens outdoors at the Mint Monday, October 15, following interviews of Lake by Brian Boyles and a performance by the Little Big Horns.
Also of note:
AKA Doc Pomus, a look at the tunesmith behind songs ranging from “Save the Last Dance for Me” to “Viva Las Vegas and featuring Dr. John, Lou Reed and other admirers.
The Girls in the Band, an examination of how female big band instrumentalists bucked the traditional boys club of jazz bands, often forming groups of their own.
And Eat to the Beat, a short film about Kermit Ruffins as he prepares to cook — literally — at weekly gig Vaughan’s.
Concluding the festival, on Friday, October 19, keeping{SCORE} delivers a special midnight screening of jazz-rich, Academy Award-winning The Talented Mr. Ripley at Prytania Theatre. The event is part of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra‘s 10th anniversary celebration.
Live performances introduce each screening, sponsored by NOJO and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation.
The New Orleans Film Festival kicks off October 11 at 7:30 p.m. with a red carpet-ready screening of The Paperboy, hosted at the newly renovated Joy Theater on Canal St. Closing night is on October 18 with two films (The Sessions and The Iceman) at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m at the Prytania. Bookending the fest with The Paperboy and The Iceman is all the more special considering they both are Louisiana-based productions.
Tickets to keeping{SCORE} and general admission to all NOFF screenings are now available, as are all-access passes. Purchases can be made at the Contemporary Arts Center box office, or online.
General admission for the Opening Night program go on sale at noon October 11 at Joy Theater’s box office.
— Beck “zaelyna” Brexlyn
