Having the feel of walking off your porch and going to see how people are getting along in your neighborhood, this short film gives a candid glimpse into how one person's vision for his community is only made stronger by the situation following Katrina. The archives that had been collected and stored at the resource center are an insightful look at how black-owned businesses in New Orleans had changed over the decades. The musical selection set to the video adds a ragtime texture and just fits into the picture like the faded paint chipping off the walls. This film was made by someone that knows the City That Care Forgot from the inside. It's refreshing to see a non-journalistic point of view. One almost wishes it was part of a series.
2 Reviews
A rather melancholy portrait but one worth seeing
planktonrules22 September 2008
This is the story of a long-time New Orleans resident, Louis Harding, and his recollections of the Black community long before Hurricane Katrina as well as his feelings about the state of the community today. He actually feels that they were much better off in the early 20th century during the years of the UNIA (an organization created by civil rights leader, Marcus Garvey), as Black ownership of businesses and pride was much stronger long ago. Now, the sense of pride is diminished but Harding refuses to give up and has been working to help his community. Even after Katrina destroyed much of the city, including his properties he's worked a lifetime to own, he is determined to see the city rise again.
I enjoyed this little portrait, but I would have loved more background information about New Orleans in the 1920s. I am very familiar with the UNIA and Garveyism, but nowadays, the importance of this organization and its push for Black entrepreneurs to create inner city businesses has been forgotten. Showing this connection along with Harding's insights would have made for a much more interesting film, though it is still well worth seeing.
I enjoyed this little portrait, but I would have loved more background information about New Orleans in the 1920s. I am very familiar with the UNIA and Garveyism, but nowadays, the importance of this organization and its push for Black entrepreneurs to create inner city businesses has been forgotten. Showing this connection along with Harding's insights would have made for a much more interesting film, though it is still well worth seeing.
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