Trouble the Water
Trouble the Water

Movie spotlight

Trouble the Water

2008
Movie
93 min
English

"Trouble the Water" takes you inside Hurricane Katrina in a way never before seen on screen. The film opens the day before the storm makes landfall--just blocks away from the French Quarter but far from the New Orleans that most tourists knew. Kimberly Rivers Roberts, an aspiring rap artist, is turning her new video camera on herself and her Ninth Ward neighbors trapped in the city. Weaving an insider's view of Katrina with a mix of verité and in-your-face filmmaking, it is a redemptive tale of self-described street hustlers who become heroes--two unforgettable people who survive the storm and then seize a chance for a new beginning.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic79/100
Google Users94%
Director: Tia Lessin, Carl DealGenres: Documentary, History

Plot Summary

This powerful documentary offers an intimate look at the lives of residents of the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina. The film is notable for its use of footage shot by residents themselves on camcorders, providing a raw and personal perspective on the devastation and the struggle for survival and recovery. It highlights the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming disaster and systemic failures.

Critical Reception

Trouble the Water was widely acclaimed by critics and audiences for its unflinching portrayal of the human impact of Hurricane Katrina, its innovative use of citizen-shot footage, and its focus on the resilience of the affected community. It is considered one of the most significant documentaries about the disaster.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its raw, personal perspective through citizen-shot footage.

  • Hailed for highlighting the resilience and determination of the Lower Ninth Ward residents.

  • Commended for its powerful and unflinching depiction of the Hurricane Katrina disaster's human cost.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly praised the film for its authenticity and the powerful stories of survival and resilience it shared. Many appreciated the direct, unvarnished perspective provided by the residents themselves, finding it deeply moving and informative.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Fun Fact

The film incorporates footage shot by residents on their own camcorders, including by a couple who eventually became central figures in the documentary, providing an incredibly intimate and immediate perspective on the events.

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