Heartworn Highways

James Szalapski's 1976 documentary records musicians in Texas and Tennessee who were then still unknown. The filming took place between late 1975 and early 1976, and songs played in kitchens, yards and small studios form the body of it. There is no narration and no arranged interview. The camera sits beside people and does not cut when a song begins; conversations start on their own and go unfinished. Some of those recorded became known artists later; at the moment of filming nobody's future was clear, and the documentary behaves as though it does not know. It went without distribution for a long time and reached screens only years afterwards. Who it's for: those interested in country and folk music. Who it's not for: viewers expecting information and context; the film does not even explain who anyone is.