You might think you know all there is to know about New Orleans and hurricane Katrina, but this enlightening documentary from writer/director Harry Shearer is worth the ticket price. Comedian Shearer, best known perhaps for his turns in hilarious Christopher Guest films including Best in Show, A Mighty Wind and of course for Spinal Tap, and his voice work on The Simpsons, delivers a sobering look at the disaster. Focusing on the causes of the flooding, which affected 80% of the city, Shearer lets the professionals speak for themselves and is largely in the background. While FEMA took the public beating for the disaster, it really was the fault of the Army Corp of Engineers, whose poor planning and building as far back as the 1950's, resulted in the catastrophic losses.
What's astonishing here is the level of misinformation and subterfuge that was engaged to protect the truth from the public. When investigators, engineers and other professionals who were part of the post-event assessment team were banned from some levee sites, it becomes apparent that the fix is in. When these same individuals are fired from their University jobs, it becomes clear that the disaster has a much larger political agenda. Also interesting is the examination of the impact of lost costal wetlands and the geography of the region, which contributes hugely to the potential for further trouble, no matter what fixes are made to the levee system.
The film mixes a bit of CSI into the mix with the investigators checking stopped clocks, and high-water lines inside houses to determine the timeline of events, but also delivers some light-hearted segments with actor John Goodman introducing "Ask A Neworlian," where locals respond to the most obvious FAQ's about the disaster. A short coda at the film's end lets us know, despite the Orwellian undertone, some of the principals who were interviewed are still engaged and thriving despite the best efforts of the establishment to have them silenced.
The Big Uneasy is playing the Loft Cinema starting July 6, 3233 E. Speedway Boulevard. For showtimes visits LoftCinema.com 795-7777.
What's astonishing here is the level of misinformation and subterfuge that was engaged to protect the truth from the public. When investigators, engineers and other professionals who were part of the post-event assessment team were banned from some levee sites, it becomes apparent that the fix is in. When these same individuals are fired from their University jobs, it becomes clear that the disaster has a much larger political agenda. Also interesting is the examination of the impact of lost costal wetlands and the geography of the region, which contributes hugely to the potential for further trouble, no matter what fixes are made to the levee system.
The film mixes a bit of CSI into the mix with the investigators checking stopped clocks, and high-water lines inside houses to determine the timeline of events, but also delivers some light-hearted segments with actor John Goodman introducing "Ask A Neworlian," where locals respond to the most obvious FAQ's about the disaster. A short coda at the film's end lets us know, despite the Orwellian undertone, some of the principals who were interviewed are still engaged and thriving despite the best efforts of the establishment to have them silenced.
The Big Uneasy is playing the Loft Cinema starting July 6, 3233 E. Speedway Boulevard. For showtimes visits LoftCinema.com 795-7777.
