LOUIS, set in 1907 New Orleans, tells the story of a young boy born into poverty who dreams of playing the trumpet.

The action takes place in “The District” – the section of New Orleans dedicated to pleasure and violence.  This bastion of lust, blood and magic is home to our hero, Louis, the 6-year-old son of a young prostitute.  Hawking coal and playing his toy horn on the back of the Karnofsky brothers’ coal cart, little Louis observes the swirl of humanity.

His heroes are musical gunslingers: musicians that wield their instruments and engage in “Cutting Contests” where opposing outfits go toe-to-toe in musical warfare.

While admiring a shiny trumpet in the window of a pawnshop, Louis sees a beautiful woman and her baby being harassed by a drunk.  Louis vanquishes the drunk and develops an instant friendship with Grace and her baby girl, Jasmine.  When Louis escorts Grace and Jasmine home he learns that Grace lives and works in Mahogany Hall – “the grandest sportin’ house in The District”.

Soon after, Louis finds out that Grace’s rivals are plotting against her. Tensions mount when Louis gets involved in a plot led by the evil overlord of The District, Judge Perry, concerned that baby Jasmine’s true heritage could derail his candidacy for governor. 

In the end Louis must sacrifice his prized trumpet to save his friends – but it’s only a temporary loss…

LOUIS is a silent film by Dan Pritzker starring Anthony Coleman, Shanti Lowry, Academy Award® nominee Jackie Earl Haley and Michael Rooker.

LOUIS  will be presented with music performed live by Wynton Marsalis and classical pianist Cecile Licad with an all-star jazz ensemble.