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New Orleans was once described as "the city that care forgot," and at no time does the city set its troubles aside as fully as during the raucous celebration of Mardi Gras. Cutting Loose takes a new look at this venerable Louisiana tradition, from the city's beautiful official parades and festivities to the wilder (but less public) events elsewhere in town and the elaborate parties thrown by the city's wealthy "krewes" (private social clubs). Cutting Loose received the Filmmaker's Trophy for Best Documentary at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival.