When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts

So, the other night, I came acoss Spike Lee's new Joint, "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts", one of the most powerful, telling and moving documentaries that I have ever watched .

The documentary chronicles the events associated with the passage of Hurricane Katrina, and was even more poignant, as it focussed on the victims who personally recounted their experiences.

The production was moving and insiteful, the cinematography powerful and poignant, with the use of an almost 'camcorder-like' style, and though the Director tried to remain objective in the portrayal of the events and interviews, the resounding criticism geared towards the political and economical failures was deafening in its silence.

The progam quality was not fraught with the almost bumbling, 'Columbo-esque' quality of a Michael Moore documentary, but it was evident that the film's creators were unable to remain objective about the passage of events. No one was spared. Not Condi Rice, and her apparent weakness for Manolo Blahnicks; nor Dick Cheny's penchant for fly fishing (and shooting close hunting buddies). A true outdoors man. Someone should have sent him to rough it out in New Orleans during the crises.

The events as depicted in the film were humbling, as was the apparant anger, shock and dismay of those who experienced Katrina's horrors and the failures of the US Government. What was even more apparent as the sequence of events unfolded, was the fact that Man will always bring about his own self destruction during the breakdown of law and order, and it will always start and end with the impoverished masses.

I was impressed by Soledad O'Brien's blatant challenge to the powers that be during her interviews, and the fact that Sean Penn was wlling to wade through waist high water, as a part of the rescue teams, demonstrating the fact that true charity does not only lie in the pocket, but is aptly demonstrated by actively joining the front lines to fight the good fight.

Now, it would be an apparent failure on my part, not to give special mention to my man, one Harry Belafonte. Sigh. Harry, Harry, Harry. Harry is a Man's man. An activist. An enigma. That gravelly voice. That sense of purpose. The focus on humanitarianism. Outspoken, political and sexy . Pardon me for the diversion, but Harry must have a special mention, as he is one class act! Wowza!

Anyway, as I digress.

I was quite disgusted by the clips featuring George W. Bush. Here is a man incapable of demonstrating any form of sincerity, empathy and/or sympathy, and I have concluded that it is because he is squinty eyed, lacks an upper lip and has a pointy hawklike nose .

His mere attempt to portray sincerity was a slap in the face to the Katrina victims, culminating in the classic quote addressed to Michael Brown, then Director of FEMA, "Brownie, you're doin' a heck of a job". What an ass. This man is totally incapable of assimilating himsef with the common masses, and has repeatedly demonstrated his continued ineptitude.

Anyway, if you are ever channel surfing and should come across any of Spike's Acts, take a look, and let me know what you think.

Out.