Private Project

Defending Culture: Creole Blackface

"Defending Culture: Creole Blackface" follows the journey of a filmmaker who, though “just a guy with a camera,” sees himself as a protector of his culture’s untold history. Through the 85mm lens, he captures more than images; he captures the soul of Creole heritage. This is a culture shaped by resilience and memories carried by generations who couldn’t photograph or film their lives but instead entrusted stories to memory and oral tradition. In the filmmaker’s hands, the camera becomes both a shield and a mirror, reclaiming narratives that have been reshaped and exploited by outsiders—and, heartbreakingly, sometimes by those within the community.

The film is a journey across landmarks and faces that speak to the Creole identity’s complexity, and yet it holds an urgent message: cultural authenticity is fragile, constantly at risk of distortion by those seeking to profit from or “reinterpret” it. Here, “blackface” is a metaphor not only for misrepresentation but for the complicit endorsement of such distortion by people who should be allies in preserving Creole heritage.

"Defending Culture: Creole Blackface" is more than a film; it is a call to action. It challenges viewers to confront those who misuse and commodify this heritage, reminding them that every photograph, every frame, is a stand against erasure. Will you join the filmmaker and become a part of the lens through which the world can finally see Creole culture as it truly is? Through powerful visuals and a resonant narrative, this short film invites us all to help preserve the heritage, beauty, and authenticity of Creoles of Color before it's rewritten yet again.

  • Milton Arceneaux
    Director
    Get To Know, Parish Okra
  • Milton Arceneaux
    Writer
  • Milton Arceneaux
    Producer
    Get To Know, Parish Okra
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Other
  • Genres:
    Culture, Creole, Louisiana, Voiceover, Narrated, Short Film, Documentary, African American, Cajun, Creole Culture
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 1 second
  • Completion Date:
    November 4, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    150 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Milton Arceneaux

Milton Arceneaux, a Lafayette, Louisiana native, is a globally awarded portrait photographer, filmmaker, and cinematographer with a passion for preserving Creole culture through authentic storytelling. As a global backpacker, Milton’s diverse experiences have enriched his creative vision and fueled his commitment to sharing the stories of his own community. He is the co-founder of Louisiana Creole Culture and the creator of the Annual Creole Culture Day, now in its fourth year as a modern-day story preservation platform focused on Creoles of Color.

Internationally recognized for his portrait work, Milton has received multiple global awards and the ArtSpark Award from the Acadiana Center for the Arts, which supported his recent exhibit at Lafayette City Hall celebrating Creole heritage. His short documentary, Parish Okra, which he directed, produced, and filmed, showcases Louisiana’s Creole community, and he is currently working on two additional short films that continue this mission. Milton believes that Louisiana’s Creole stories should be told by those who live them, and his dedication to cultural preservation makes him a powerful voice in Louisiana’s creative landscape.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As a Louisiana Creole filmmaker, my work is a deeply personal mission to preserve and amplify the stories of my community, particularly Creoles of Color. Growing up in Lafayette, I witnessed firsthand how our history and culture are often overlooked or misrepresented. This motivated me to take up the camera, not merely as a tool for documentation, but as a means to reclaim, preserve, and celebrate our heritage.

My storytelling is grounded in authenticity and respect for the voices that shaped our collective past, even when those voices are difficult to hear or challenge prevailing narratives. Projects like Parish Okra, my upcoming film Defending Culture: Creole Blackface, and the Get to Know series produced in collaboration with Zydeco Extravaganza, delve into the complexities, resilience, and vibrancy of Creole life. These works bring light to the stories too often left in the shadows.

I strive to create spaces for dialogue and understanding—using film to confront cultural appropriation, celebrate our traditions, and bring oral histories to life. My aim is to share intimate portraits of individuals whose lives reflect the diverse and evolving story of Creole culture, sparking meaningful conversations.

Through each frame, I seek to preserve our identity and ensure future generations inherit a truthful and proud representation of who we are. My work is both a reflection of where we come from and a vision of what we can achieve when we honor our past and shape our own narrative.