When the Levees Broke

Yes, it was both good and worthy.

But it could have done with a little editing ruthlessness. We’ve only seen Part One, but a 4h15 running time?

Not to underestimate the significance of the material, but The Greatest Story Ever Told manages to be told in just over three hours.

I didn’t think I would cope with it but made it through.

Was of the opinion that Spike had fallen off after Bamboozle etc. But with this and Inside Man he could be back on track.

Good to see a documentary which didn’t try to show all of the survivors as victims.

Hate to think how Britain would cope with a massive flood we can’t even manage a bit of fog.

Here in the US, the ABA (American Booksellers Assoc) started a Relief Fund in ‘05 to help booksellers affected by Katrina, Rita (and other disasters as well.) If you make your living in the book biz, consider a donation — many bookstore owners and employees lost jobs and homes. If you’re a US resident, your donation’s tax-deductible. You can read all about the Bookseller Relief Fund here:
http://www.bookweb.org/aba/8389.html

[...] Watching a BBC4 repeat of Stephen Fry’s brilliant exploration on his bi-polar condition last night reminded me of the power and potential of documentary or factual film. Occasionally something comes along that knocks your socks off. A reminder of the positives of TV is quite timely on the opening day of the Edinburgh TV Festival where the medium is due to come under ‘blistering’ attack. (Also: another goal fo the format and another chance also to catch Spike Lee’s awesome When the Levees Broke, due next Wednesday on BBC4). [...]

My name is Phyllis Montana-Leblanc. I was featured in Spike Lee’s HBO Documentary; “When the Levees Broke.” A lot has changed for the better in our lives, yet a great deal is still undone. The money is still not getting into the hands of the residents, homeowners. Rent is still being increased so high the people cannot move back home. My mother is on a fixed income and was able to live independently here in New Orleans, where she’s lived her entire life. But that is no longer available. Some politicians don’t want low income residents or the buildings to house them rebuilt or new. This is a shame. My husband and I have been in our new home for 9 months after almost 3 years in a toxic fema trailer. I wrote a book about the experience and more needs to be done.