Roots of Fire (2022)

Cajun music as it once was is slowly coming to an end. The generation that cared for the genre is aging out, and the younger generation that wants the practice to continue is struggling to find a new, vibrant group of followers. Roots of Fire follows a series of cajun musicians as they navigate the seemingly dead end road of their beloved music. They will fight to the bitter end, which may be sooner rather than later.

The music being presented to viewers in Roots of Fire will be a tough sell, and, to be honest, that’s why it’s dying out. In order for the film to be successful, Writer-Directors Abby Berendt Lavoi and Jeremey Lavoi have to find something else to ensure that viewers care about their film, and, in turn, feel connected to the music. That thing is the passion that the individuals in the film have for their music. There are a handful of individuals who are tasked with presenting viewers with passion and vigor–and it works wonders, constantly building and strengthening a bond between themselves and their viewers. The majority of the people that play a role in Roots and Fire are clearly passionate, grounded, and simple individuals. They are simple in the sense that they just want to live a happy and successful life (and their music plays a role in that), and the fact that they are so passionate and grounded allows them to be accessible throughout.

There’s just the right amount of push throughout the course of Roots of Fire. It never crosses the line into aggressiveness, but this team makes it abundantly clear just how important this culture is. Viewers are pulled into this film, into the history of all that is showcased throughout this film–and I think the Lavois do a spectacular job of expressing things from beginning to end.

They do a good job of not showcasing the music too often. The reality is that this music isn’t for everyone, and too much of the music throughout could potentially turn viewers off to Roots of Fire. While the music plays a significant role in the film, it’s never too much, never overbearing. The Lavois create a nice balance that doesn’t tip the scale too far in one direction and allows viewers to truly appreciate the content of the film. The music is the backbone, and Roots of Fire begins with the music, but it often takes breaks from it and allows viewers to regain their footing, again deal with a language that they are familiar with, and then the film steps back into the musical aspect of the story. This might be the most effective piece of the film, as it does a great job of constantly bringing us back to the heart of the film and culture.

What I really struggled with in regard to Roots of Fire is the fact that there are no subtitles to supplement the cajun dialect, and that creates a disconnect. While the personalities are so big and so connective, not knowing what they are saying part of the time is difficult to deal with. I certainly understand that the Lavois, their team, and their subjects want to be true to the culture, and that a disconnect exists in the real world, but I think if Roots of Fire really wants to reach viewers they have to make a connection in this way as well. Tell us what we don’t understand, don’t ostracize the majority of viewers. This seems like a silly decision, and while it doesn’t ruin the film for me, it’s something that I struggled to deal with throughout the film.

There are certainly some pieces of the film that create something of a disconnect, but the majority of Roots of Fire does a great job of connecting with its viewers. There is most definitely a learning curve for viewers as they attempt to navigate this film–but we are quickly pulled in and it’s the passion that emanates from these individuals on screen that effectively keeps us around. Roots of Fire is far more engaging and entertaining than I anticipated, and it’s a truly spectacular documentary.

Written & Directed by Abby Berendt Lavoi & Jeremey Lavoi.

Starring Joel Savoy, Jourdan Thibodeaux, Kelli Jones, Kristi Guillory, Wilson Savoy, etc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10