Watch Music from the Big House

Music from the Big House is a 2010 Canadian documentary film directed by Bruce McDonald. It stars singer-songwriter Rita Chiarelli who visits Angola Prison in Louisiana, in order to discover and explore the blues music traditions that have developed and persevered within the prison's notorious walls. The documentary introduces Rita Chiarelli, who is a renowned blues musician from Canada. Upon her arrival at the Angola Prison, she becomes fascinated by the musical culture that has thrived within the prison walls. Angola Prison is the largest maximum-security prison in the United States and has been known for its harsh living conditions and various human rights violations over the years.

Rita is immediately drawn to the musical culture that exists within the prison walls. She spends time with the inmates and listens to their stories, learning about how music becomes an escape from the brutal and unforgiving living conditions they have to endure. She also discovers that the blues has a long history within Angola Prison, a history that stretches back more than seventy years.

As the documentary progresses, Rita discovers that the prison has its own band called The Angola Prisoners Blues Band. She joins the band in order to immerse herself in the music and learn more about the culture that has developed around it. Throughout the documentary, Rita collaborates with the prison's musicians, sharing her own experiences with them and encouraging them to share their own stories through the blues music.

The documentary also explores how music is used as an important tool for rehabilitation and self-discovery within the prison. Many of the inmates who participate in the music program express that music has become a way for them to deal with their emotions, and they have found hope and inspiration through playing music together.

Music from the Big House further showcases the dedication and passion that the prison's musicians have for the blues genre. They take the music very seriously, rehearse regularly, and are committed to preserving the unique style of blues that has emerged from within the prison walls. As the documentary progresses, Rita and the Angola Prisoners Blues Band prepare to perform together in a concert that is a true reflection of their shared love for the blues genre.

Overall, Music from the Big House is an inspiring and thought-provoking documentary that explores the power of music to inspire and bring people together, even under difficult circumstances such as those of Angola Prison. The documentary offers a unique and fascinating insight into the culture of Angola Prison while also showcasing the raw beauty and power of the blues genre. It emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural traditions and promoting music education for societal rehabilitation.

Music from the Big House is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.5 and a MetaScore of 44.