News!

Burden of Dreams

Beautifully Remastered to 4K

Premiering Summer 2024!

JULY 2024

New York –  NY FILM FORUM
JULY 19 – AUG 1, 2024
EXTENDED!

New Orleans, LA – ZEITGEIST THEATRE
JULY 26 – AUG 1, 2024

Santa Fe, NMCENTER FOR
CONTEMPORARY ARTS

JULY 26 – AUG 1, 2024

Berkeley, CAPACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE
JULY 27, 2024

San Francisco, CAROXIE THEATER
JULY 28, 2024

San Rafael, CA – SMITH RAFAEL FILM CENTER
JULY 28, 2024

 AUGUST 2024

Cleveland, OH – CLEVELAND INSTITUTE
OF ART CINEMATHEQUE
AUGUST 9 & 10, 2024

Seattle, WA – SIFF FILM CENTER
AUGUST 9-11, 2024

Ottawa, ONMAYFAIR THEATRE
AUGUST 23-29, 2024

Saugerties, NYUPSTATE FILMS
ORPHEUM THEATRE

August 30 – Sept 5, 2024

Milwaukee, WI ORIENTAL THEATRE  MILWAUKEE FILM
Aug. 31 & Sept. 1, 2024

 SEPTEMBER 2024

Los Angeles, CAACADEMY THEATER
SEPTEMBER 7, 2024
Werner Herzog in person!

 NOVEMBER 2024

Baltimore, MDTHE CHARLES THEATRE
NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Madison, WIUW CINEMATEQUE
NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Screenings

Les Blank Film Series!

June 7–July 27, 2024

The Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley, CA will present a 20+film series of Les Blank films beginning with “The Blues Accordin’ To Lightnin’ Hopkins” and ending with the newly remastered “Burden of Dreams.”

Les Blank always delved deeply into the soul of whatever he focused on

In his films, Les gives us intimate portraits of American Bluesmen such as Lightnin’ Hopkins and Mance Lipscomb, he takes us to exuberant parties with Cajun music and food, we march along with Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, we dance with polka culture the Midwest, we listen to sweet fiddle music in Appalachia, and we learn about film making itself.

Les Blank has captured on film, the people, regions, foods, musical styles, dances, costumes and wonderful spirits that make America the unique cultural patchwork quilt that it is.

Read about Les Blank’s early experiences and training on the biographical page.

Thank you,

About Les Blank Films

After Les Blank passed away in 2013 his eldest son, Harrod Blank began working to preserve his legacy. He assembled a team which is remastering Les’ films, completing some unfinished ones, and making a biographical film and book about Les’ life and career.

To support these endeavors please donate here. All donations to Les Blank Films are tax deductible. Les Blank Films Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Viewing Les Blank’s Films

If you are interested in purchasing DVDs, whether for personal or institutional / educational use, they are available in our online shop. Les Blank’s films will be available for home use download/streaming in the future. For now some of the films are available for educational streaming via Kanopy (as noted on each film’s information page.)

If you are interested in 16mm film rental, licensing, or have other questions, please contact Harrod Blank.

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