This December, Louisiana Public Broadcasting will release In the Blind, a powerful new documentary that traces the unique traditions and rich culture of waterfowl hunting in Louisiana’s Sportsman’s Paradise and explores the sport’s relevance in a global conservation effort to preserve and restore waterfowl populations, migratory flyways and fragile habitat of this imperiled region.
In the Blind transports audiences across Louisiana from coastal marshes to flooded forests to trace the history of some of the region’s most famous hunting clubs and public land hunting spots, along with the traditions and cuisine that make up this unique, renowned culture. The program features an immersive, “day in the life” of the sport’s most passionate participants, from the hunters and guides, to the card players, storytellers, cooks, decoy carvers, call-makers, wildlife conservationists, land managers and environmental journalists.
Intended for viewers who hunt and those who don’t, In the Blind will highlight duck hunters’ historically significant role in protecting Louisiana’s landscape for future generations to experience and examine what is at stake if the traditions are lost.
For this documentary, LPB partnered with New Orleans-based filmmaker Emma Lou Reid, producer, writer and director of In the Blind. For three years, Reid — a Minnesota native and Louisiana transplant — immersed herself in the culture, politics and landscape of duck hunting. Prior to working on In The Blind, Reid co-produced the National Telly Award winning documentary, Finding Common Ground.
“LPB is proud to share this beautiful documentary, and its authentic Louisiana voices and unique storytelling, with audiences across the state and the nation,” says LPB Deputy Director and Executive Producer of the project, Christina Melton. “Bringing documentaries like this to a wider audience is part of our mission to support the exceptional work of talented, independent Louisiana filmmakers, like Emma Reid.”
LPB’s President and CEO, Beth Courtney, will interview Reid about the project during the statewide premiere of In the Blind, at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 on LPB. The film will also be steaming live at lpb.org/live and on the LPB App (LPB broadcast encore at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Viewers will be offered exclusive opportunities during the LPB broadcast, including a hunting camp excursion, a kayak/birdwatching tour of Bayou Manchac led by Reid, and other unique duck hunting items.
Major funding for In the Blind is provided by Lipsey’s, Acadian Ambulance Service and W. Clinton Rasberry Jr. and W. Clinton Rasberry III.
There will be two preview screenings of In the Blind free and open to the public.
(Reservations required):
Preview Screening of In The Blind - Shreveport
Monday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Robinson Film Center
617 Texas Street
Shreveport, LA, 71101
General Admission Tickets are free but limited. RSVP at lpb.org/intheblindshv
Preview Screening of In The Blind - Lafayette
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Acadiana Center for the Arts
101 W. Vermilion Street
Lafayette, LA, 70501
General Admission Tickets are free but limited. RSVP at lpb.org/intheblindlaf
There will be a special performance by the band Amis du Teche at the Lafayette screening. The band’s music is featured in In the Blind.
About Amis du Teche: Adeline Miller, Robert Miller and Amelia Powell, granddaughter Dewey Balfa, make up this young, lively Cajun band. All living along Bayou Teche, they began learning Cajun music since the age of 5 and were influenced by traditional Cajun sounds from long ago. Adeline on fiddle and Amelia on guitar sing in French, while Robert brings rhythm with upright bass. They play at many Louisiana festivals and have performed as far as Nova Scotia, Canada.
There will be door prizes at each screening: (Must be present to win.)