Note: Please don't respond to this unless you have seen the film.
There is always an unfortunate tendency that when ever something terrible happens to try to pin the blame on someone or something. When the terrible hurricane hit the Gulf Coast it did not take long for people to start trying to find someone to blame. This is not very helpful and often those involved in the blaming have little understanding of the problems and possible solutions.
In When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, Lee does not play the blame game. He made a film that emphasizes and expresses things as (arguably) perceived without distortion of his personal feelings, or interpretation. That is what a documentary filmmaker does and ever since Four Little Girls I have had faith in Lee's ability to do just that: show the tension between propaganda and objective truth.
Another unfortunate part of the blame game is the politicization of tragedies by individuals, groups, or organizations to gain influence, power, or take a stab at those people or groups that already opposed. Sadly it seems to have happened with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco. I think Spike Lee adeptly told this part of the tragedy, as well.
One last thing: the worst thing about the blame game is that while it sometimes makes some people feel better for a short period of time it often does more harm than good. In previous posts people have made jokes to mask their fear, or ignorance and tried to isolate various individuals or groups associated with the tragedy in New Orleans. Thankfully, Spike Lee does not do that. He keeps the film focused on the people suffering who need real help right now not blaming, joking, or grandstanding.
I give this film an A.
There is always an unfortunate tendency that when ever something terrible happens to try to pin the blame on someone or something. When the terrible hurricane hit the Gulf Coast it did not take long for people to start trying to find someone to blame. This is not very helpful and often those involved in the blaming have little understanding of the problems and possible solutions.
In When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, Lee does not play the blame game. He made a film that emphasizes and expresses things as (arguably) perceived without distortion of his personal feelings, or interpretation. That is what a documentary filmmaker does and ever since Four Little Girls I have had faith in Lee's ability to do just that: show the tension between propaganda and objective truth.
Another unfortunate part of the blame game is the politicization of tragedies by individuals, groups, or organizations to gain influence, power, or take a stab at those people or groups that already opposed. Sadly it seems to have happened with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco. I think Spike Lee adeptly told this part of the tragedy, as well.
One last thing: the worst thing about the blame game is that while it sometimes makes some people feel better for a short period of time it often does more harm than good. In previous posts people have made jokes to mask their fear, or ignorance and tried to isolate various individuals or groups associated with the tragedy in New Orleans. Thankfully, Spike Lee does not do that. He keeps the film focused on the people suffering who need real help right now not blaming, joking, or grandstanding.
I give this film an A.