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| Movie Review: Trouble the Water Alternate Title: Hurrishame
Story: I thought it appropriate
on the third anniversary of the disaster known as Hurricane
Katrina to see this must see documentary, produced and directed
by Tia Lessin and Carl Deal. The directors,
originally focused their camera on the National Guard for their film,
but found the real eye of the storm and the center of their film at
a Red Cross shelter north of New Orleans. Her name is Kimberly
Roberts. A young 23 year old during the storm, she grabbed
her inexpensive video camera and filmed herself, her husband Scott and
their many neighbors in the Ninth Ward who were too poor to get out
of the City of New Orleans. She is truly a New Orleans Saint. This is a first person account, with visual testimony
to what these poor people went through. The documentary makes its social
and political commentary loud and clear by us being able to see what
happened to them during the storm but more pointedly what happened to
them after the storm. As Hurricane Gustav roars towards that devastated
area I can only think about these faces and hope that they stay out
of harm's way this time. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq426VjZD1E Acting: Not applicable in a documentary.
Trivia: Trouble the Water won the Grand Jury Prize
at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
Predilection: I like documentary films.
Critters: An adorable cat and two dogs. Warning to
those that have queasy stomachs when it comes to animals in trouble.
There are a few fleeting images that you might find disturbing.
Soundtrack: Kimberly is trying to make it as a hip
hop singer. Her wonderful 'I am Amazing' is featured in the film as
are some very appropriate tunes including the gospel song, Trouble the
Water.
Opening Titles: The action opens quickly as she started
to flm the day before the storm hit the area.
Visual Art: The visuals are something you are not likely
to forget for a long time. Theater Audience: About a dozen other riveted viewers.
Weather: It was a hurricane - it was very very bad.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: I squirmed often over the plight of
these individuals.
Drift Factor: Not for a second.
Tissue Usage: I welled up a few times.
Oscar Worthy: Yes
Soap Box: Do not get me started about how I feel
about the way this catastrophe was handled by the Bush administration.
Does any one need to recall that phrase "You 're doin' a heckuva
job, Brownie".
Big Screen or Rental: Support Indies and see it on
the big screen if you can.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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