OT: great film

For those of you who have HBO or friends with HBO,
I highly recommend the four part documentary directed
by Spike Lee, which will be re-run on 29 August (the
first anniversary of the hurricane).

It is harrowing to watch, but Lee, whom I've always
thought talented but not necessarily brilliant, achieves
something absolutely remarkable in this film. His
presence is virtually transparent. He covers a wide
range of people who were victims, both of the levees
breaking and the lack of concern (or organization
if that's the way one views it) of the government.

I am extremely fond of Michael Moore's films, but
they tend to rely on the dynamic of his persona. In
"Requiem in Four Acts," Lee manages to let people
tell the story, without in any way imposing his personality
or even his viewpoint on it.

This is an extraordinary achievement in cinema and
American television. And almost unbearable to watch,
in some parts.

OK sorry to post off-topic. I just needed to share this.

cofarb...

I've heard that it is wonderful, but I am surprised/impressed that you can
watch it, given your location. I have steered clear of 9/11 films and
documentaries and, compared to Katrina, 9/11 was quick and relatively clean.

Thanks for the reminder that Katrina is still out there even though it has
faded from the front pages in other parts of the country.

AJ...

W.G.,

Not sure 9/11 was quick and clean, but it was contained to
three areas (four if count the heroic people on the plane in PA).
But where I live, and given the people I know, there's no
escaping it, none; it's in our faces every single day and because
I know people who got out, and had places to go, and who
had options in life, I want to remember, I want all of us to
remember every day of our lives, that a huge number of
Americans can't jump in their cars or SUVS, fill the tank
with gas, and go stay somewhere lovely with friends or
check into a hotel.

So there's really nothing impressive about my watching it--
the next week it will be inescapable. And I'd rather
concentrate on a non-sensational and sensitive treatment
of what happened, than the conventional media's more
shrill and opportunistic exploration of it. Someone remarked
that Katrina exposed what we so often forget in this
country: the poor.

OK I'll shut up now. Except to say once more that Spike
Lee, whom I thought talented, is now, in my opinion,
a very great filmmaker.

ahmward...

I don't have HBO but read wonderful reviews of it in the SF Chronicle.
The paper devoted three pages to it on Monday.

Charlie Perrin...

It sure hasn't in Houston.

Houston seems to be the replacement New Orleans. The local news
reported last night that something like 60% are going to stay.

Ray Nagin is making trips to Houston to try to get his citizenry back.
I think the Houston Police would like for them to go (there have been
a LOT of problems with displaced New Orleans gangs on Houston turf).

stars...

AJ,

Thank you for posting this for anyone who isn't aware of it (like me). I
moved overseas this spring and don't, as a rule, miss US television all that
much. This is one of those rare moments that I do wish I had HBO. Now that
I am aware of this documentary I can try to figure out if any satellite
feeds will be picking it up.

AJ...

Thanks for saying this, makes me feel better about posting
off-topic. I feel sure it will be out on DVD at some point; it's
really that extraordinary. If I knew how to work my VCR, which
I don't, and if I thought it was working, which I'm not at all sure
it is, I'd have videotaped it. Apparently it's going to be available
on HBO on Demand on 30 August.

Ruby...

I'd also like to thank you for your review. I heard a review of this
on NPR yesterday...I think I will make sure that I TIVO it.

stars...

I will have to keep an eye out for it coming out onto DVD. I have not been
able to find much on whether it will be on the satellite feed that I get,
but I will continue to look. We get some US programs, but not all. I would
ask someone to tape it for me, but 1) we don't have a VCR and 2) the VCRs
where I am are not the same as in the US so a US tape wouldn't play on them
anyway (which is why we didn't bring ours when we moved). I am sure sooner
or later I will have a chance to see this documentary.

Vicki in DC...

Thanks for the heads up. IMO, HBO on demand is the greatest thing since
sliced bread. I frequently can't catch what I want to watch when it's
on but this will allow me to see it when I'm able to.

Vicki in DC