Lee, Spike (Director), Pollard, D. Sam (Producer). (2006).http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9377207

When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts [Documentary]. United States: Forty Acres and Mule Filmworks. http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/whentheleveesbroke/synopsis.html

When the Levees Broke was Produced and Directed by Spike Lee and Sam Pollard. Spike Lee was born Shelton Jackson Lee on March 20, 1957 in Atlanta, Georgia. Lee began his film career as a Mass Communication student at a historically black institution, Morehouse College.

He is now a Producer and Director with his own production company named 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks which has produced over 35 films since 1983.Lee, an actor, that has produced and made many films that have raised concerns with race issues http://www.imdb.com/company/co0029134/ , is no stranger to controversial films, critical approaches to race, gender, and equality, addition to bringing attention to injustices, and political struggles. Hence, his venturing into the plight of New Orleans residents during Hurricane Katrina, in addition to the display of Governments lack of action is no different. As noted by Thomas Doherty in the Journal of American History, "Predictably, appropriately, in tracking the storm from a red-blob computer model to the hearing rooms of the U.S. Congress, Lee’s barometer is set to measure the racial, not the meteorological, atmospherics" (Doherty 998).

This documentary sheds light on the chronological happenings in New Orleans in the awakening and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Focus is also given to the disparity and inequalities that exist within the State. The role of media is very significant in this film because it depicts how media shapes the ideologies and perceptions of the public. As noted in many news segments and various print media, Blacks were criticized for their propensity to loot and for their uncivilized and barbaric behavior. However, as portrayed in the documentary Blacks were not the only individuals looting and arming themselves with weapons. On the contrary, Blacks were being shot and killed based on racist attitudes. Furthermore, the idea that the lower Ninth Ward, Ninth Ward, and other parishes close to this area were demographics consisting of avarice and Black welfare recipients is refuted. As shown, in the documentary many residents of this demographic in fact owned their homes, were church attending members, and held respectable and professional careers.

Unfortunately, media and government officials sensationalized and even reported fallacious stories regarding the improprieties of New Orleans Black residents. Furthermore, the media failed to give footage on the truly devastating conditions that took place and adversely affected the New Orleans residents due to the neglect and lack of commitment of the United States Government. This is noted when various engineers and contractors share their opinion and knowledge on the inadequate and substandard display and arrangement of the levees. In addition, the harsh reality that the devastation could have been avoided if the Levees had been reinforced and actually finished despite the forty-year allotment is paralyzing. More over, the notion that Blacks were eagerly displayed on mainstream television and in newspapers stealing and displaying uncivilized behavior in hindsight appears as a tactic to distract America of the real issues. The American Federal Government failed to show up in a timely fashion even after they were beckoned and given invitation by the Mayor and Governor of Louisiana. Doherty addresses the issue of who is held accountable as he states,

Also noted by Doherty "As Lee rewinds footage and purblind platitudes he nails the president and his men, and in one case a woman as criminally negligent, congenitally feckless and probably racist (even Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice)" (999). He deems them as such due to their flagrant and unconcerned behavior as they vacation and shop for pleasure while their Country is in a state of emergency. While media was responsible for capturing these individuals parading and illustrating indifferent mannerisms the negative media focused on blaming Blacks and the poor residents of the State for their unfavorable and dire situation. According to Foster et al, media plays a significant and dramatic role because "In today’s media climate, however, shocking news and images are the norm. Each piece of devastating reality is, paradoxically, only fleeting so. Because we see so many images of death and destruction, we ever more easily forget one ongoing tragedy the moment its otherwise compelling images are superseded by those associated with another" (489 Foster et al).

Lee has offered a voice to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, he has informed, compelled, and even enlightened viewers through this documentary. More importantly he uses media to allow a pathway into the world of the survivors. According to Foster et al, "In such an era when horrific assaults on humanity are so easily forgotten, documentaries, such as When the Levees Broke play an important role" (489). Media plays a role in ensuring that we do not forget what has happened in this place that we call home, which is "America." We should no longer be numb to the social norms of the devastation in the media, but take action even when there in no reaction.

(Reviewed by: Akia Lindo) (edited by Wendy McNeal)

References

Doherty, Thomas. "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts." Journal of American 

   History. 2006: 997-999. http://www.brandeis.edu/facguide/faculty?emplid=0adcef42793cb212c9d013f9b84de92bfbcf6972

Foster, M. Kevin; Blakes, Tiffani; McKay, Jenny. "Documenting Tragedy and Resilience:

     The Importance of Spike Lee’s When the Levees Broke" Urban Education. July 2008, Vol. 43 Issue 4: 488-496.