You See Me Laughin’

Description

Special Screening SXSW

Best Documentary Feature Oxford Film Festival

“A churning, affectionate group portrait.” – The New York Times

“Groovy juke joint footage of the late Junior Kimbrough nearly sweats through the screen.” – The Village Voice

Synopsis

YOU SEE ME LAUGHIN’ is a personal journey into the lives and music of the last of the Mississippi hill country bluesmen – farmers and laborers first, musicians second – men who, year after year, congregated on back porches and in tiny juke joints to drink and sing and play guitar. YOU SEE ME LAUGHIN’ takes us on the road and into the homes of R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, T-Model Ford, Cedell Davis, Johnny Farmer and Asie Payton – musicians who’ve labored for the blues tradition despite lives steeped in poverty and violence. These are bluesmen unlike the famous few who’ve made it out of the Mississippi Delta. Most have lived among the same farms, small bars and competitive rivalries their entire lives. The result is a raw, powerful music that is fused with the cultural landscape of its musicians.

Director

Mandy Stein

Mandy graduated from Occidental College with a degree in Art History and Visual Arts. She has worked professionally for Propaganda Films in the music video division and as a still photographer for numerous publications, including Interview Magazine, The New York Post and Hamptons Magazine. In 1999, Mandy helped shoot and was an Associate Producer on the HBO documentary Devil’s Playground, which followed modern Amish youth. She also helped produce the IFC Films documentary Crossover about musicians making the transition into acting. You See Me Laughin’ is her directorial debut.