Thaindian News

By Madhuri Dey
Aug 23, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Spike Lee is back with his sequel of his award-winning 2006 documentary that captured the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that tore the city apart five years ago. “If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise”, a sequel to “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts” will be aired on HBO in two parts in Monday and Tuesday. The much awaited four hour documentary film tries to capture the present condition of the largest city of Louisiana that still bears the burns that Hurricane Katrina inflicted. However, according to many critics, Spike Lee in his attempt to capture the present scenario of the state in the sequel fails to concentrate on one issue and therefore the end product is less powerful than his previous work. The storytelling is more scattered and the point of view obscure.

In the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina devastation in the city, Spike Lee along with the crew goes around the city to find out the re-construction works done by the authorities and how life has changed for the people of New Orleans since 2005. It addresses issues like the re-population of New Orleans, the school system that public housing projects. However, what Spike Lee’s documentary captures, is the uncertainty that surrounds the life of the people of New Orleans. The director beautifully captures the dubious state of the city’s people. If on one hand they rejoice for the success of the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl then on the other hand their celebration is spotted with the constant pressure to secure food and shelter.

However, the documentary lacks the straightforwardness that is in general characteristic of Spike Lee. The director maintains a neutral point of view while addressing controversial issues like school system and demolition of public housing projects.