Belizaire: The Cajun

Director: Glen Pitre
Screenwriters: Glen Pitre

Institute History

Description

A Cajun herbal doctor’s love for another man’s woman and his struggle to save a friend are part of the explosive chain of events that breaks the silence of the Louisiana bayou in the late 1850’s. The first ride of plantations owners vigilante committee brings a night of terror to many of the local peasants. Accused of being cattle thieves, hog-nappers, and the like, they are ordered into exile under penalty of death. The area healer, a good-natured, soft-spoken man, Belizaire Breaux (Armand Assante), is spared from exile but considered by many on the committee to be a trouble-maker Belizaire’s interest in his childhood sweetheart leads to a dangerous confrontation and accusation. Belizaire's final act of healing is the greatest one of all.

Glen Pitre’s first feature is permeated by a richness for language and detail rarely seen in today’s films. Its textures are built from equal parts of suspense and humor, with well drawn characters acted by a strong cast.

Screening Details

Credits

As you use our Online Archives, please understand that the information presented from Festivals, Labs, and other activities is taken directly from official publications from each year. While this information is limited and doesn't necessarily represent the full list of participants (e.g. actors and crew), it is the list given to us by the main film/play/project contact at the time, based on the space restrictions of our publications. Each entry in the Online Archives is meant as a historical record of a particular film, play, or project at the time of its involvement with Sundance Institute. For this reason, we can only amend an entry if a name is misspelled, or if the entry does not correctly reflect the original publication. If you have questions or comments, please email [email protected]