Les Blank appears in person for screenings of his masterpieces

Filmmaker Les Blank might be best known for his documentary portraits of American musicians, but many critics believe his masterpiece is Burden of Dreams, which catalogued the filming of Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo. The fact remains that Blank is one of the most creative and insightful documentary filmmakers working today, which makes his three-day appearances at Starz FilmCenter in Auraria's Tivoli Student Union a real coup for the University of Colorado Denver's College of Arts and Media and the Denver Film Society. Featuring screenings of Blank films hosted by Howie Movshovitz and the filmmaker himself in person, these evenings of movie magic are truly not to be missed.

A program containing Blank films Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers, Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe and A Well-Spent Life took place on Tuesday, October 21; if you missed that evening of wonder, don't fret, because there's still time to catch Blank in action. On Friday, October 24, Blank films The Blues According to Lightnin' Hopkins (a portrait of the legendary musician), Always for Pleasure (a look at Mardi Gras, New Orleans style) and Yum Yum Yum! (Cajun singers Marc and Ann Savoy cooking) will all be shown at Starz. And on Saturday, October 25, the aforementioned Burden of Dreams will screen. The programs start at 7 p.m.; tickets are $6 to $9.50. Get more information at www.denverfilm.org or 303-595-3456.