By Cinema Libre Studio
The Hurricane Katrina story that you haven’t heard….
On Friday 10/19, Alex LeMay's powerful new documentary, 'Desert Bayou,' opens in Des Moines, IA at the Varsity Theatre (1207 25th Street).
Critics are praising this film as an indictment of the circumstances that led up to the displacement of between 645,000 to 1.1 million poor, black and elderly after Hurricane Katrina and as an expose of the racism that is still very much alive underneath the surface of America.
“A fitting sequel to Spike Lee's opus ‘When the Levees Broke’… a poignant indictment of a social disaster that began long before New Orleans' poor, black, and elderly citizens were abandoned to die.”
- Lisa Katzman, The Village Voice (Full Review)"An inspirational story about man's ability to find hope in the bleakest of circumstances and an exposé of the racism that still bubbles under the surface of America."
- New York Magazine (Full Review)
"..Vivid and thoughtful and speaks volumes about one of the most disturbing episodes in recent American history. It's also essential viewing for any African-American who's still unsure which political party has their best interests at heart."- Gary Goldstein/Reel.com (Full Review)
With the release of this is film, we hope to remind Americans that the struggle in New Orleans continues. Almost two years after President Bush promised to rebuild New Orleans on national television from Jackson Square, vast stretches of the poorer neighborhoods remain deserted, the poorest of the poor are living on the streets, only 45% of the schools have reopened, the homicide rate has shot up over the last year (15 times higher than New York City), and according to the latest data from FEMA, more than 73,000 families from the Gulf are still living in FEMA trailers.
We are emailing you to ask if you will help us get the word out about this powerful and important film. We ask that you:
• Send an email to your friends, colleagues or to an email list and ask them to go see DESERT BAYOU when it opens Friday 10/19 at Varsity Theatre
• Organize a group to go see the film,
• Post a comment about the film on a local blog or calendar,
• Mention the film to your organizations’ members or to your congregation,
• Help us distribute postcards and mini posters and to organize groups to attend over opening weekend (call Tracey at 818-349-8822 or email tmorris@cinemalibrestudio.com for more information)
• As members of various political parties vie for Presidential nominations, join us in reminding them that Americans are a fair and compassionate people committed to justice and a chance of a good life for the families of all our citizens. Share your opinions on our blog: http://www.desertbayoumovie.com/.
If you are interested in becoming more actively involved please email Tracey at tmorris@cinemalibrestudio.com.
SYNOPSIS:
"DESERT BAYOU will go down in history as the film about Hurricane Katrina." - Master P
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, 600 African Americans were airlifted
to the almost entirely white state of Utah...without their knowledge.
Subjected to three criminal background checks, they were put up at an
isolated military base miles outside of Salt Lake City.
DESERT
BAYOU examines some painful truths about race, religion and poverty in
America. Documentary features recording artist Master P, Rabbi Shmuley
Boteach, and families displaced by the storm.
www.desertbayoumovie.com
STARTS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19th in DES MOINES
Varsity Theatre
1207 25th Street
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 277-0404
STARTS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19th in DES MOINES
Varsity Theatre
1207 25th Street
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 277-0404
Showtimes: Mon.-Fri. 7:45, 9:25
Sat.-Sun. 2:30, 7:45, 9:25
DESERT
BAYOU will open in select cities in a nationwide in a platform release.
For more theatres or to post a comment on our blog, visit: http://www.desertbayoumovie.com/.
To download and share clips or trailers: desertbayoumovie.blip.tv
To download and share clips or trailers: desertbayoumovie.blip.tv