When the levees broke: the katrina documentary by Spike Lee

[polkadot]

I am sitting in my living room 20 minutes away from New Orleans watching this documentary. I am still in awe...it will be a year on next Monday and there are still people living in FEMA trailers. There are still homes that have not been touched. I am listening to the stories these people are telling and you cant believe what they are saying is the truth. Its unbelievable how angry I still am a year later. It so upsetting to see the people of my city sitting on the street for days, with no help. To hear people talk about the government forgetting about the black poor people really upsets me. Because this documentary is about the PEOPLE of New Orleans not just the black people. The thing that most people forget about this whole situation is that it was not a race issue it was a wealth issue. The people who had the means left, those who didnt stayed...its that simple. The city, the government, all of the agencies that the people depend on where not prepared. I know that I am rambling and that this is just a way for me to get things off my chest. I hope that this thread is a way for people to give their opinions about the film and I would love to hear about the way others view the people in New Orleans and our city in general.

ok...i'll stop now..thanks for listening to me vent. :p

[Adaya]

Oops, I didn't see this thread here. I started one in TV/Movies.

polkadot, guess we have somewhat of a difference of opinion about the documentary.

Here's what I said in the other thread:

I watched it and can't wait to see the rest. So far, I think Lee and all of the crew who worked on this documentary did a phenomenal job of talking to so many people who were a part of this tragedy from the LA governor, Ray Nagin, the N.O. police chief, to everyday citizens, black and white. It was interesting to see all of the different perspectives and how people viewed this mess from their own point of view. It was kind of interesting to see it all put together in one film instead of reading something here, watching the news and getting a point of view there. It was all put together in one place.

Also, the music playing in the background was really moving. Terrance Blanchard, who was the musical composer, I guess you could say, put a soundtrack to the feelings of everyone involved. I don't know....I can't explain it. It was pretty powerful to me.

[kedzieb]

I saw the first half last night and want to see the second half tonight. I thought it was incredible filmmaking. Spike Lee did great work - he got a variety of viewpoints and presented them in a clear timeline.

I came away from the 1st half angry and sad (like I felt last year), but also amazed that people were as patient & humane as they were for all those days.

[polkadot]

I came away from the 1st half angry and sad (like I felt last year), but also amazed that people were as patient & humane as they were for all those days.

I couldnt explain it but that is exactly how I felt...angry and sad all at the same time....its so sad still. I cant wait to see the end....

[Kimberland30]

I disagree with the OP (evacuation being a wealth issue), I do agree that the gulf coast wasn't prepared for this at all. It's not only about LA either. The aftermath of Katrina is and continues to be devastating. Having been thorugh a couple pretty serious hurricanes myself (without even a quarter of the damage left by Katrina), I can't even imagine how people who lived through it must feel...back when it happened and today as well.

I thought the documentary was great, even though I slept through the end because of a sleeping pill I took. Does anyone know if it will be re-aired and when?



.

[Adaya]

It will re-air next Tuesday at 8pm. The entire 4 hours will be on, so you may want to record some or all of it. That's my plan b/c I missed some parts of it last night.

[Kimberland30]

Thanks! I'll set my DVR for it.