The first half of the documentary was very strong and we're introduced to people who have compelling stories about the trauma they experienced during Katrina. While it's a relatively short film it unfortunately starts to drag in the second half, while there are some interesting observations about the lasting impact that Katrina had on some of these people, it starts to feel more like a film someone made for an intimate community or family album and less like a comprehensive look at the havoc that Katrina wreaked on the youth of an entire city. There are some mentions about what happened to the youth on a larger scale but overall the film opts for more personal, heartfelt stories. Towards the end we're exposed to a lot of meandering shots of people just staring into the camera or laughing and dancing as if we're watching an ad for Cialis. I'm assuming the film felt an overwhelming need to imbue it's audience with a sense of hope towards the end but it came off more as a manipulative effort to cheer us up rather than a genuine look into the present or future. However I don't think any of these flaws detract from the value of this film because it's intimacy seems very intentional and meaningful and despite its meandering hopefulness, the heartbreak of this film is where the real marrow is found.
Review of Katrina Babies
