Lomax - The Songhunter

Running time: 95 mins

Cinequest was created to celebrate maverick philosophy and attitude, and ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax, who died in 2002, was definitely a maverick of the first waters. Lomax was a song collector. For a big part of his life, he traveled around the world recording the prettiest folk songs and recording ordinary people, who gave their heart and soul in front of his microphone.

Taking bulky, heavy ?direct to vinyl? recording equipment around the U.S. south, Lomax recorded, for the first time, American folk music ranging from prison chain gang work songs, through blues and southern gospel, to Appalachian singers, including such performers as the-then-unknown Woody Guthrie and Jean Ritchie. But this was only a part of Lomax?s quest. He also went to Europe, visiting England, Scotland, Spain and, most especially, Italy.

This passionate and musical road movie explores Lomax?s work in the U.S., but the heart of the film is when director Rogier Kappers and his crew return to small Spanish and Italian villages and encounter ?a surprisingly large number of oldsters who, recalling young Lomax's visits, offer repeat performances that are genuinely affecting? (Variety). Look for a magnificent performance by Leadbelly (Huddy Ledbetter) and some just stunning a capella polyphonic singing by Italian workers. An exciting look at the life of a true American maverick, loaded with revelatory information and thrilling music, Lomax the Songhunter is both a celebration and a journey, one not easily forgotten.

Charlie Cockey

GLOBAL LANDSCAPES