Documentary about the Cajun People at Rosa Hart Theatre Oct. 2

From Staff Reports

The Contraband

“Against the Tide” depicts the epic story of one of the most celebrated and misunderstood ethnic communities in North America, the story of the Cajun people and their journey to settle in Louisiana. “Against the Tide” Movie Night will take place at the Rosa Hart Theatre inside the Lake Charles Civic Center, 900 Lakeshore Drive, on Friday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. with free admission. Pat Mire, the director of the film will address the audience at the showing as part of the Acadian Awakening Music Fest held in Lake Charles Friday-Sunday, Oct. 2-4.

Ravaged by religious wars, the film explores the movement of French peasant farmers leaving western France in the 17th century to establish a new homeland in the wilderness of what is today, Nova Scotia. After a brutal deportation by the British, the ancestors of the Cajun people were able to end their exile and reunite their families in Louisiana. Isolated culturally as well as economically, the Cajun people have maintained their identity and language. In the process, they have created their own unique musical and culinary traditions which are known worldwide.

"’Against the Tide’ is the story of the Cajun people of Louisiana who have struggled against all odds, including ethnic cleansing and Americanization, to keep their strong cultural identity intact," said Pat Mire, film director. “Against the Tide” is the true story of the Cajuns as told by their direct descendants, including director Mire, host/narrator Zachary Richard, historian Carl Brasseaux, and folklorist Barry Ancelet.

The Acadian Awakening Music Fest is part of the Great Acadian Awakening by Louisiane-Acadie held throughout South Louisiana, Friday-Sunday, Oct. 2-11. The events in Lake Charles are sponsored by the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau and the City of Lake Charles in partnership with the Cajun French Music Association, the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana, the Southwest Louisiana Genealogical & Historical Library, the French-American Chamber of Commerce, Henry Heights French immersion, Barbe High School choir and community volunteers.

Learn more about the events of the festival at www.visitlakecharles.org/awakening and www.louisiane-acadie.com. Visit www.patmire.com for details about the film.