Trouble the Water
Trouble the Water (2008), directed by Tia Lessin and Carl Deal, is a deeply intimate and humanistic documentary that captures the experience of Hurricane Katrina through the eyes of Kimberly Roberts, who wants to be a rapper, and her husband, Scott. The film opens with footage that Kimberly filmed just before and during the storm, capturing the harrowing reality of life in New Orleans' Ninth Ward as floodwaters rise. This personal perspective contrasts with the often impersonal media coverage of the disaster. Kimberly's decision to buy a video camera for $20 just days before the hurricane turns out to be a good decision, allowing her to document the chaos and devastation firsthand. Her footage reveals the danger faced by residents who could not evacuate, the breakdown of emergency services, and system failures that made the crisis worse. One of the most disturbing moments in the film is the depiction of residents being turned away from a naval base with empty housing. This reveals the government's neglect of its citizens during the disaster.
Following the storm, the documentary shifts the focus to Kimberly and Scott's journey as they navigate the challenges of displacement, loss, and the struggle to rebuild their lives. Their resilience and determination are themes in the film that show the human capacity to endure and overcome hard times. The filmmakers' decision to follow the couple over two years gives viewers a longer view of the impact of the disaster on individuals and communities. Trouble the Water is not just a chronicle of a natural disaster; it is a powerful commentary on issues of race, class, and government policy. The film criticizes flaws in the system that left many residents vulnerable and abandoned during the crisis. It also highlights the strength of individuals like Kimberly and Scott who fight for justice. Through its dramatic storytelling and detailed coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Trouble the Water is a reminder of the many costs of disaster and the strength of those who survive.
The documentary primarily follows the story of a couple who survived Hurricane Katrina. Kimberly and Scott Roberts, New Orleans natives, shared their story of the hurricane and their difficulties in picking up the pieces after it passed. The documentary shows their hardships with the storm in the beginning, as flooding from breached levees heavily damaged their neighborhood. Then, the film depicts how they struggled to receive relief from FEMA and the Louisiana state government, highlighting how the system failed them and their communities. Kimberly, an aspiring rap artist, shows grit and determination throughout the documenatry, putting her faith in God and people around her. Scott shows just as much determination as he and Kimberly attempt to relocate to Memphis before returning to New Orleans to help rebuild their community and their city. The government is shown still dragging its feet to help them and other disadvantaged communities that were hit by the most devastating hurricane the US had faced. The footage from Kimberly’s camera shows the everyday bravery and heroism of the average citizens of New Orleans such as her husband Scott and his brother Larry. They use a small fishing boat to try to rescue others and bring them to safety in the attic where they were staying, while Kimberly provided them with whatever food, water, and other necessities she could find.
Another theme is the sense of betrayal many felt from their government. While the US continued to station National Guard troops in Iraq, 10,000 miles away, very few were sent as disaster relief to the city and its people, leading to situations where people weren’t found until two weeks after the storm had ceased. The betrayal leads to another theme: hopelessness. Many people were forced to evacuate or decided to leave their native city with the commonly repeated, solemn line: “I’ll never go back to New Orleans.”
Trouble the Water gave an immensely clear depiction of not just the beginning of Hurricane Katrina, but the recovery after. New Orleans faced tremendous amounts of destruction. Some landmarks are still abandoned and desolate today. Kimberly and Scott endured weeks of torture amongst their neighbors and other citizens of New Orleans before any real change started. As the film shows, Kimberly, Scott, and their new friend Brian made it to Alexandria, Louisiana, two weeks after the initial hit of Katrina, still lacking the money promised by FEMA. Kimberly, along with the rest of the victims of the hurricane, were beyond upset not to have received any help in relocating from their unlivable homes. Once she and her family had enough resources, they relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, in hopes of making a new life for themselves and never returning to New Orleans.
After months in Memphis, they still couldn’t find jobs stable enough to live there permanently. Reluctantly, they moved back to their hometown to find that, even a year later, their neighborhood was untouched. All the promises of reconstruction of their city were focused on the tourist points. Kimberly points out that as long as the French Quarter and Jackson Square are pretty, that's all the government cares about. Seeing all of the places that Kimberly and her group went to stay out of the storm, her home deserves to be fixed. From attics full of people, swimming across streets in the middle of the storm, to breaking into her old high school, Kimberly’s faith in being saved never faltered. She states, along with Scott and Brian, that God is who truly saved them. Scott ended up finding a stable job in New Orleans to support him and Kimberly while rebuilding their home.
This documentary is meant to show the true horrors and setbacks that Katrina caused, but mainly shows how the citizens of these coastal towns were actually treated by the government. The advertisements and online resources regarding post-hurricane federal aid were not accurate. Low-income citizens were often forgotten or overlooked, making them the bravest of the survivors. They found their way out of the storm with only themselves to thank.
If you would like to watch the trailer for the documentary, below is the link.
"It's not about a hurricane. It's about America."
Exhibit page by
MADDIE HAYES
JEFF SCHMIDT
HANNAH WESTMORELAND