'You See Me Laughin'

Join us in the Ivywild School Gym for live music from Grant Sabin and then indie documentary “You See Me Laughin.”

Brought to you by Independent Film Society of Colorado and Ivywild School.

‘You See Me Laughin’ (2002, 1h 17m)

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.

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

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

Special Screening, SXSW 2002; Winner, Best Documentary Feature, Oxford Film Festival