New Documentary About Tremé Debuts

By I Feb. 11, 2008

As part of its Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture series, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation will present the premiere of the film Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story Of Black New Orleans on Feb. 16 at Holy Faith Temple Baptist Church. Admission to the screening and a reception that will follow it are free. Glen David Andrews, who appears in the film, will perform at the reception.

Completed in late 2007, the 68-minute documentary was directed by Dawn Logsdon. Jazz trumpeter and New Orleans native Wynton Marsalis served as a co-executive producer. Airing on PBS later in the year, the film is available for screenings around the nation.

Times-Picayune columnist Lolis Eric Elie wrote and narrates the film, in which he gives a first-person account of his discovery of the history of Tremé – one of the oldest African-American neighborhoods in the United States.

“Living in Tremé, you sense it’s historic importance,” Elie said. “But this film was an education for me, and will be an education for many, about what makes this place great.”

The narrative begins with Elie’s quest to renovate a home he has bought in Tremé. In the process, he meets an array of characters and finds out about the neighborhood’s traditions and history.

More info: tremedoc.com