Les Blank (1935-2013) was an independent filmmaker best known for his exploration of American culture through roots music. He founded a small production company called Flower Films in 1967 and continued to make films for the next 40 years. The Archive is home to over 1,000 items from Les Blank, the majority of which are original elements. The collection includes material for “Battle of the Guitars” (1985), “God Respects Us When We Work, But Loves Us When We Dance” (1968), “The Blues Accordin’ to Lightnin’ Hopkins” (1968), “Always for Pleasure” (1978), “Dry Wood” (1973), and “Hot Pepper” (1973), a musical portrait of Zydeco King Clifton Chenier. Films such as “Chicken Real” (1970), “Always for Pleasure” (1978), and “Garlic is as Good as Ten Mothers” (1980) use food and celebration as a map for journey and add to Blank's focus on small strands of America, holding and supporting each other in a tapestry that continues to grow.