Robert Mugge Movies

Robert Mugge, the music history-centered documentarian who brought the world The Gospel According to Al Green, The Return of Ruben Blades, The Last of the Mississippi Jukes and many (many) others, helms New Orleans Music in Exile - the first nonfiction film to examine the displacement of Cajun, blues, &b, jazz and zydeco music acts following August 2005's Hurricane Katrina. The documentarian intentionally gives short shrift to areas of the catastrophe explored by other films (such as Spike Lee's When the Levees Broke), preferring instead to channel his gaze elsewhere. His focus and emphasis thus lie in three arenas: he traces which acts specifically left the Big Easy and which destinations they chose; how New Orleans compensated for that loss; and who plans to return in the imminent future. Many five-star musicians (intimate with Mugge from prior endeavors) turn up to play electric, mesmerizing numbers and to offer occasional insights into the consequences of Katrina; these include Dr. John (on "Right Place, Wrong Time,"), Papa Grows Funk, Theresa Andersson (who covers a rousing version of "Like a Hurricane,") Irma Thomas, The Iguanas and many others. Mugge also works in interviews with New Orleans club proprietors, music journalists and record label proprietors. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

Last of the Mississippi Jukes is a documentary about blues and juke joints directed by Robert Mugge. Featuring music by Alvin Youngblood Hart, Bobby Rush, and Chris Thomas King, it includes interviews and on-location footage telling the journey of the last few blues bars throughout the state of Mississippi. In Clarksdale, actor Morgan Freeman has established the Ground Zero Blues Club in the style of a traditional juke joint. In Jackson, the Subway Lounge struggles to survive in the Summers Hotel, which is scheduled for demolition. A companion soundtrack album was released on Sanctuary Records. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Director Robert Mugge created this documentary about Robert Johnson, one of the most enigmatic pioneers in American music. Created as part of a week-long tribute to the legendary bluesman at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the film sorts through the numerous myths about Johnson -- most notably that he sold his soul to the devil to become a blues maestro -- and the few extant facts about his life. How he died or where his body is located is simply not known. What does remain from this shadowy figure is a collection of songs that have influenced several generations of artists. Eric Clapton and Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir are just two of the sundry rock and blues musicians that appear in this documentary extolling Johnson's wizardry, which was screened at the 1999 Mills Valley Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide

This musical documentary pays loving tribute to bluegrass music. Interspersed amongst the many musical selections is a history of the genre. Also included in the film are brief examinations of international bluegrass musicians from Eastern Europe and Japan who venture to the U.S. to share their versions of the tunes. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This movie is a documentary showing the evolution of a musical style. Fortunately for the viewer, it is also an opportunity to see some of the practitioners of that style in much footage never before released. A must-see for devotees of the style, enlightening and entertaining for others. The effective use of interviews, physical tours of the birthplaces of the music and lengthy performances give the viewer quite an overview of this music and its practitioners. An illuminating look at the gutsy and raw Delta-inspired music. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide

Despite the best efforts of well-meaning Christian missionaries and the more sinister behavior of the U.S. government, many elements of the culture of the former Kingdom of Hawaii remain alive and vital even today, and native Hawaiians are making a concerted effort to recover their lost cultural and religious traditions, including important skills, such as instrument-free deep-ocean navigation. This documentary explores the work of the Kuma Hula, the holders and teachers of the sacred hula tradition of dance and song. These hula dances are not the frequently pictured seductive entertainments performed for tourists. Rather, they are the means by which the elaborate stories and myths of Hawaiian culture are maintained and transmitted through the concerted efforts of musicians, singers, and dancers. In order to be considered of religious value, each of these very elaborate and long songs (in Hawaiian) must be sung and performed without a single error. Mastering the skills to do this takes many years of practice and study. The documentary screens satisfyingly long portions of several of these. Teachers are shown reflecting on their work, as well as actively teaching. One humorous highlight of the documentary is the performance (by genuine hula dancers) of a satirical dance called "the Aerobics Hula." Some ironic shots of the more familiar tourist-type hula dance are shown, including scenes from the incredibly silly 1936 film Waikiki Wedding, featuring songs performed by Bing Crosby and Shirley Ross. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

This colorful documentary of Hawaii captures the natural beauty of the exotic tropical islands. Native dancing and music accompany the ceremonies that have long been of interest to tourist. The roots of Hawaiian native music and its offshore influences from Spanish cowboy music, Christian hymns, and the strains of steel guitar illustrate the progressive blend of the traditional and modern that makes the music unique and immediately recognizable throughout the world. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Native Panamanian singer, actor, politician, and lawyer (with a Harvard degree in International Law) Ruben Blades performs, talks, and travels around in this documentary on his triumphant return to Panama City. Alternating between interviews with Blades and segments from his music (with his band Seis del Solar and singer Linda Ronstadt) that illustrate his positions on the values of traditional Latin culture, director Robert Mugge has fashioned an entertaining and illuminating documentary. (Blades ran for president of Panama in 1994 and came in second.) ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

First filmed at the 1983 Reggae Sunsplash Festival in Montego Bay, Jamaica, this musical documentary is likely to keep audiences moving along with the beat of its reggae artists. Among the musicians and groups featured are Rita Marley, Gil Scott-Heron, Gregory Isaacs, and Third World. The stage performances and the scanning of audience reactions are supplemented with backstage interviews. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Sun Ra stands in front of the camera lens in this documentary wearing a gold Lone Ranger mask, a purple, net-wrapped wig, blue makeup, and outrageous clothes. Undoubtedly convinced that his visual impact would not create the desired notice, he declares that he is heading into outer space (some will think he is there already) and that he is part pharaoh, and trying to bypass earth on his way to higher spheres. In case his verbal and vestment eccentricities still cannot drum up the necessary attention, there is always his music. In fact, one wonders if a certain disservice is not given the music by the strange verbalizations and appearance of Sun Ra - viewers will have to decide for themselves. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide