I'm posting this on behalf of Gabe, until the kinks get worked out...
Trouble in Water-Gabe Gaeta
I think that this film is unique in that it doesn’t attempt to create as much as it does show. The documentary is shot almost entirely from the point of view of Kim’s camera, originally unintended to be shown publicly, and thus, incredibly unbiased. From this fresh perspective, a more credible and inside view of Katrina can be portrayed. I think that it is in this unorthodox structure that I find it easy to agree with the message of the work−that in our capitalistic and media-driven society, if you don’t have money, you’re not only not American, but you might as well be invisible.
My original view of the occurrences surrounding Katrina has changed significantly upon reflection of the film. I once thought that the government and/or higher-power organizations were to blame for a lot of the tragedy that occurred during the aftermath of Katrina. Now, however, I see that the corruption occurred on a much smaller level as well. Granted, there were many people who generously helped the stranded citizens, and there was much bonding between the victims of fate, but it is undeniable that much more could have been done locally and on smaller-scale levels to assist the individuals.
The most obvious and shocking examples of this neglect could be found in the scenes with the military. When the wading wanderers finally found an army base that could have easily let them in, they refused and threatened the unarmed civilians. Later on, a soldier mocks the people, stating his disbelief for their inadequate survival skills. Instead of using their knowledge and positions of power for good, the members of the military did nothing. Quite frankly, it sickens me to see such indifference and neglect to fellow human beings, regardless of anything else.
Overall, I think that this movie gave an inside look into a severe but hidden problem in our nation, one of prejudice and loss of basic morality. Perhaps the more educated individuals in the country could learn from the less educated to have some soul and love for each other.
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I love the passion that the film evoked for you, Gabe! Since it does, however, I'm going to play devil's advocate: do you think it played on your emotions to change your beliefs, perhaps in a not-entirely-warranted way? For example, while the navy base episode does seem to check out on a large scale (they were denied entry), we see much more of Scott's perspective than we do of the navymen's... perhaps Scott's portrayal was not how we would have seen the episode.
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