the drive
As many people I know are, I've been obsessed with YouTube.com lately—it's such a peel of American interests—admittedly, 13-25 year-old hormone-marinated American interests. Steaming piles of football-in-the-crotch stuff; the crass, the profane, the jaw-droppingly banal. Every once in a while however, something truly profound sneaks in there, and you recall the lofty populist ideal held out by the internet.
This clip is long (15+ minutes), but I dare you to not cry as you watch the story unfold. NOVAC (New Orleans Video Access Center), a group of documentary filmmakers in New Orleans have put together a series of short films called "The Drive," which graphically portrays the state the city is in almost a year after Hurricane Katrina ripped it to shreds. I felt ashamed that I had almost forgotten about the whole thing. It's pretty fucking sobering…
From NOVAC's press release:
“Many people do not realize that, nearly 10 months later, things are not back to normal in New Orleans. As America's attention fades from Hurricane Katrina's impact, a disabled New Orleans continues to struggle for survival.
The only way to really get a sense of the magnitude of the post-Katrina destruction is to physically walk or drive through the affected areas. With this in mind, NOVAC presents The Drive. The Drive provides a raw visual and narrated tour through four of the most devastated neighborhoods in New Orleans and is supported with extensive footage, maps, interviews, digital imagery, and an original musical score by Emmy nominated composer, Gil Talmi. ”
Not to get all Sally Struthers on everyone, but take a moment and watch it all the way through.
2 comments:
But how terrific that there's a way to get the word out to so many people without having to go through the traditional financing, distribution, etc., etc., that kills so many good projects. Or keeps them so local that no one ever has has a chance to cry over them.
I love the intarwub!
Yeah, huh.
I wrote NOVAC to ask how to support them and the fella (Tim Ryan by name) sent this info.
Spread the wub around!
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We are accepting donations at the following address (checks may be written out to "NOVAC"):
Tim Ryan - NOVAC Documentary
c/o Turbo Squid - Matt Wisdom
400 Poydras Street
Suite 1500
New Orleans, LA 70130
If you would like a receipt for tax purposes, please include a return address.
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