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The New Orleans/Haiti Connection [Katrina: 5 Years Later]

Maysles Cinema
New York, NY

The New Orleans/Haiti Connection

A night showcasing short documentaries, providing a comparative analysis of State and human responses to and recovery from two devastating natural disasters: the Haiti earthquake and Hurricane Katrina.

"Haiti: The Politics of Rebuilding"
(Faultlines, 2010, 23 min.)
This short documentary looks at the politics of rebuilding Haiti just one month after the devastating earthquake of January 12th, 2010. With billions of dollars devoted to U.S. and UN-led aid efforts flooding the country, the decade's-long debate about Haitian development has intensified in the wake of this most recent disaster. The film asks how aid money should be spent in reconstruction, and how reconstruction may or may not contribute to the goals of long-term growth and economic independence in Haiti. While most Haitians do not have the luxury to think beyond the short-term need for food, water and other essential staples, an array of thoughtful community organizers and agriculturists voice their opinions on what needs to be done in the long-run in order to advance the Haitian condition. Also featured in the film are the voices of a number of Haitian politicians, U.S. Army and government officials, foreign owners of private industry and members of Haiti's robust NGO community.

"Haiti: Six Months On"
(Faultlines, 2010, 23 min.)
Six months after the earthquake, the landscape of Port-Au-Prince remains virtually unchanged. Dominated by rubble and a rainbow patchwork of tents occupied by an estimated one and a half million displaced Haitians, most major reconstruction efforts are on hold. Inevitably, the government will award most contracts to foreign companies, creating a booming business out of disaster relief and reconstruction. Through conversations with people living in camps and informal settlements throughout Port Au Prince and the countryside, this film reveals the increased skepticism and hostility of Haitians when it comes to the efforts of politicians and NGOs post-disaster. While as of late, an interim governmental commission has been established to dole out a large chunk of the foreign aid that's flowed into the country, the question remains as to who is best qualified to decide how the money will be spent; With the presidential elections in Haiti fast-approaching, this question takes on particular relevance.

"New Orleans: Been in the Storm Too Long"
(Tavis Smiley, 2010, 56 min.)
As the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches, Tavis Smiley Reports visits New Orleans, capturing the mood and spirit of the cityâs courageous residents five years after the levees failed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. For the program, Tavis reunites with Academy Award-winning director Jonathan Demme, who has spent the past five years chronicling the people of New Orleans as they struggle to recover and rebuild their city. Tavis now returns to speak with some of the cityâs most resilient residents who share their rich cultural heritage as they rebuild schools, churches and homes against enormous odds. The charismatic and poignant people of New Orleans featured include: Jazz musicians Ellis and Branford Marsalis, Actor John Goodman, longtime resident now starring in the HBO series Treme, Actor Wendell Pierce, a third-generation native also starring in Treme, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Abdulrahman and Kathy Zeitoun, whose experiences were chronicled in Dave Eggersâ award-winning book 'Zeitoun'.

Part of the two-part series "Country Rap: The Gulf States" and "Katrina: Five Years Later". "Country Rap" sheds a spotlight on hip hop (and its cultural and political antecedents), from a region engulfed in environmental siege with centuries old roots and a New South identity. After considering hip hop's southern migration and local variations, "Country Rap" transitions into "Katrina: Five Years Later", a selection of films that document New Orleans' rich history, lending further gravity to those made in response to the devastation of New Orleans, and efforts towards recovery.

Note: 2/3 train to 125th St. Ticket buys admittance to all screenings/events that night - come to any or all! Buy tickets ahead of time here or at the box office Mon-Fri 12-6 & 1hr before to end of all events, showtimes listed on website). Seat inside theater only guaranteed if you arrive with a ticket by the listed time for the screening/event you wish to attend. In case of overflow, seating with film & live panel simulcast also available in downstairs reception area. Check the calendar for a full listing of all our screenings at http://www.mayslesinstitute.org

Kid Friendly: No

Dog Friendly: No

Non-Smoking: No

Wheelchair Accessible: No

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