I Went to the Dance

1989 1h 24m EN

🙌

7.7

BANGER

★7.7TMDB · 7

DocumentaryMusic

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

The definitive film on the history of the toe-tapping, foot-stomping music of French Southwest Louisiana. Includes many Cajun and Zydeco greats, featuring Michael Doucet and Beausoleil, Clifton Chenier, Marc and Ann Savoy, D.L. Menard, and many others.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

Criterion ChannelSubscription

Cast

Michael Doucet
Self
Clifton Chenier
Self
Marc Savoy
Self
Ann Savoy
Self
D. L. Menard
Self
Varise Conner
Self
George Broussard
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Les Blank
Languages: French, English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

84 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

37 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: French, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Les Blank, shot by Les Blank. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Michael Doucet. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Maureen Gosling shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Michael Doucet and Clifton Chenier and Marc Savoy carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Les Blank directs. Les Blank behind the camera. Michael Doucet scores. Maureen Gosling cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in French, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

184 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
237 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: French, English.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Directed by Les Blank, shot by Les Blank. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Michael Doucet. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Maureen Gosling shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Michael Doucet and Clifton Chenier and Marc Savoy carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt0097603 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Only 7 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.