The Acadian cultural centers in Thibodaux, Lafayette and Eunice will hold free screenings of ‘Zachary Richard, Cajun Heart’ in May.
The award-winning, feature-length documentary is in French with English subtitles and stars world-renowned Cajun singer, songwriter, and cultural activist Zachary Richard. The film follows Richard on a quest to explore his roots and examines the nature of Acadian/Cajun identity in the 21st century.
Cajun Heart’s director Phil Comeau is a Canadian film and television director and scriptwriter, based in Moncton (New Brunswick) and Montreal (Quebec). Comeau’s documentary and drama fiction films have won over 50 awards in North America and Europe.
The centers make up three of the six sites of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. More information about the park and the centers is available at www.nps.gov/jela.
Each film screening will be followed by a discussion; screenings will be held on
— May 9, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, 250 West Park Ave., Eunice. For more information, call 337-457-8499
— May 16, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 314 Saint Mary St., Thibodaux. For more information, call 985-448-1375
— May 23, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Acadian Cultural Center, 501 Fisher Road, Lafayette. or more information, call 337-232-0789
The screenings are sponsored by CODOFIL, the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana crt.state.la.us/cultural-development/codofil/index. CODOFIL’s mission as Louisiana’s French agency is to support and grow Louisiana’s Francophone communities through scholarships, French immersion, and various other programs designed to build community and language skills.
According to Charles Larroque, executive director of CODOFIL, “We at CODOFIL feel that this documentary by Phil Comeau and Bellefeuille Productions furthers not only our mission to help foster cultural identity but also that of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in accurately telling the ‘Louisiana story.’”