Pat Mire’s “Pointe Noire” murder mystery film | Entertainment/Life

Bobby Boucher still gets a laugh. The awkward dimwit with the exaggerated Cajun accent remains an icon from the 1998 movie, “The Waterboy.”

Sure, actor Adam Sandler was just playing a character in a comedy. But Boucher feeds into old stereotypes about Louisiana. People love us as much as they don’t understand us.

I’ve had to explain that New Orleans is not Cajun country. Drive two hours west on Interstate 10 for that.

Yes, Louisiana has roads and bridges and is not overrun with swamps and alligators. I still remember the look of disbelief from the person I told that Lafayette has an airport.

I’ll have to start suggesting that the uninitiated watch “Pointe Noire,” the latest from independent film director Pat Mire. The murder mystery is now available for rent or purchase in the United States and Canada on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, DISH and Vimeo VOD.

A French-speaking native of Eunice and Lafayette resident, Mire has spent 30 years telling compelling stories in settings filled with Cajun traditions and culture. His Cinema on the Bayou event stands as the state’s second-oldest, annual international juried film festival.

“Pointe Noire,” filmed throughout St. Landry Parish and the surrounding area in southwest Louisiana, is the story of Louis Leger, a filmmaker and crawfish farmer played by Roy Dupuis. He and attorney Dolores Arceneaux (Myriam Cyr) try to save Joel Richard (Michael Bienvenu), a wrongly convicted inmate on Death Row.

Leger and Arceneaux uncover secrets related to rice farmer Nathan Smith, portrayed by Scott native and French music icon Zachary Richard. But the revelations may be too late to prevent the surprise ending.

True to his career mission, Mire carves another story that reflects his native Cajun culture. Elements of the traditional Courir de Mardi Gras, rice fields, traiteur (faith healer), hand-fishing, LA31 Beer (brewed in Arnaudville) and the Whirlybird dancehall in Opelousas fuel the narrative.

The film offers an introduction to Tay-Sachs disease, a fatal nerve disorder that affects Acadian descendants and the Jewish population.

Characters with familiar surnames of Mouton, Richard, Touchet and Arceneaux float in and out of English and Cajun French greetings and conversations. Subtitles included, although you may recognize a curse word or two.

Viewers used to Hollywood’s obligatory shootings, explosions, car chases and sex scenes may get drowsy during “Pointe Noire.” But those who stay with the unfolding mystery will appreciate Mire’s ongoing, cinematic salute to his heritage — minus Bobby Boucher.

Herman Fuselier is executive director of the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission. A longtime journalist covering Louisiana music and culture, he lives in Opelousas. His “Zydeco Stomp” show airs at noon Saturdays on KRVS 88.7 FM.