Archive · 25 Sep 2025
Documentary Rediscovers Works of Creole Composers Dédé and Barès
Imagine two very talented musicians from a long time ago, Edmond Dédé and Basile Barès.
They were composers, meaning they wrote music!
One was born free, and the other was born into slavery.
They both wrote beautiful music, but it wasn't always shared with everyone.
Now, a new movie is being made to share their music with the world again.
The movie shows how people today are bringing their songs back to life by playing the music for everyone to hear.
The movie is like finding a treasure, helping us remember these amazing musicians and the music they made, even when things were unfair.
A new documentary explores the lives and music of 19th-century Creole composers Edmond Dédé and Basile Barès.
Dédé, born free, wrote orchestral and piano music, as well as the opera Morgiane.
Barès, born into slavery, wrote music for dance halls; he has a copyright assigned to his composition while he was enslaved.
The documentary, directed by Sascha Just, premieres at the New Orleans Film Festival on October 24.
The film highlights efforts to resurrect their work through concerts and performances.
- Who
- Edmond Dédé and Basile Barès, Creole composers; Sascha Just, director of the documentary
- What
- A documentary about the rediscovery of works by 19th century Creole composers Edmond Dédé and Basile Barès.
- When
- The documentary premieres October 24.
- Where
- The premiere will be at the New Orleans Film Festival.
- Why
- To resurrect the work of these composers and highlight their impact.
- Documentary Title
- What We Can Know About Edmond and Basile
- Subject
- Composers Edmond Dédé and Basile Barès
- Director
- Sascha Just
- Dédé's Birth Year
- 1827
- Barès' Birth Year
- 1845
- Premiere Date
- October 24