Kanopy has available a fantastic selection of films by American documentary filmmaker, Les Blank.
Blank had a long and productive career, directing over 60 films in more than half a century before his death in 2013. His personal style shines through all his work due to his keen eye for details, attentive camera work, and he frequently revisits favorite obsessions, most notably food, travel, and traditional and folk music.
Almost every one of Blank’s films is a veritable celebration, he finds the sublime in the everyday and uses his camera to portray the passion of his subjects as well as his own. From his early industrial films on chicken farming and softball umpires, to explorations of southern California drag racers, exporters of Chinese tea, traditional Louisiana Cajun musicians, and even a behind the scenes look at a Huey Lewis and the News music video, Les Blank creates poetic and immersive audio-visual worlds.
Though many of his films are available on Kanopy and all offer their own peculiar delights, must-sees include possibly the best ever anti-smoking PSA: “Cigarette Blues,” the charming portrait of a bus-load of American tourists in Europe: “Innocents Abroad,” and “Werner Herzog Eats his Shoe,” a cult classic about following one’s artistic dreams (and eating shoes).
Check out Les Blank’s films available on Kanopy.
By Corey Purcell