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Person· Directing

Les Blank

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Born: November 27, 1935
Died: April 7, 2013
From: Tampa, Florida, USA

Also known as

Leslie Harrod Blank Jr.

Biography

Les Blank was an American documentary filmmaker best known for his portraits of American traditional musicians.

Known for

Burden of Dreams

Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe

Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers

The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins

Always for Pleasure

Gap-Toothed Women

A Well Spent Life

Sprout Wings and Fly

Filmography

32 displayed · 67 matching · 67 total

2025

Motorcycle Moment

Directing (Director)

2019

Tattoo Uprising

Camera (Director of Photography)

2016

Out in the Woods

Acting (Self)

2015

Thailand Moment

Directing (Director)

2014

How To Smell A Rose: A Visit with Ricky Leacock at his Farm in Normandy

Acting (Self) Directing (Director)

2010

Treasure of the Lisu

Writing (Story Consultant) Editing (Editor)

2008

Oh My God! It's Harrod Blank!

Acting (Self)

2007

All In This Tea

Directing (Director)

2006

Directing (Director) Camera (Director of Photography)

2005

The Maestro Rides Again!

Directing (Director)

1995

The Maestro: King of the Cowboy Artists

Directing (Director) Camera (Director of Photography) Production (Producer)

Sworn to the Drum: A Tribute to Francisco Aguabella

Directing (Director)

1994

Hole in the Soul

Camera (Camera Operator)

My Old Fiddle: A Visit with Tommy Jarrell in the Blue Ridge

Directing (Director)

1991

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

Camera (Camera Operator)

Innocents Abroad

Directing (Director) Crew (Cinematography)

Julie: Old Time Tales of the Blue Ridge

Directing (Director)

Marc and Ann

Directing (Director)

Directing (Director) Crew (Cinematography)

1990

Yum, Yum, Yum! A Taste of the Cajun and Creole Cooking of Louisiana

Directing (Director)

1989

I Went to the Dance

Camera (Director of Photography) Directing (Director)

1988

POV

Directing (Director) 1 EP

Ry Cooder & The Moula Banda Rhythm Aces: Let's Have a Ball

Directing (Director) Camera (Director of Photography)

1987

Huey Lewis and the News: Before!

Directing (Director) Production (Producer)

Živeli! Medicine for the Heart

Directing (Director)

In the Land of the Owl Turds

Production (Producer)

Gap-Toothed Women

Directing (Director) Writing (Writer) Production (Producer) Camera (Director of Photography)

1986

Playboy: Farmers' Daughters

Crew (Thanks)

1985

Cigarette Blues

Directing (Director) Camera (Camera Operator)

Six Short Films of Les Blank (1960-1985)

Acting (Self) Directing (Director)

1984

In Heaven There Is No Beer?

Directing (Director) Camera (Director of Photography) Production (Producer)

1983

Sprout Wings and Fly

Directing (Director) Camera (Director of Photography)