Trouble the Water

2008 Documentary

Relegated to the role of refugees in their own country the moment the levees broke, New Orleans residents Kimberly and Scott Roberts document their harrowing struggle against the forces of nature and the evils of man as they nobly attempt to rebuild their lives amidst one of the greatest natural disasters ever to befall the United States. Kimberly Rivers Roberts is a musician and filmmaker who was living in New Orleans with her husband, Scott, when the force of Hurricane Katrina transformed their once-happy hometown into a waterlogged wasteland. In the aftermath of the disaster, the nightly news was filled with images of looting and chaos. Now, as the masses finally receive the opportunity to witness events from an insider's perspective, it quickly becomes apparent that the rampaging waters were only the beginning of the problem, and that the ineptitude of the government and the media in dealing with the disaster did nearly as much damage to New Orleans as the forces of Mother Nature. more..

Director: Carl Deal

Reviews

  • The documentary shows outrageous behavior, none more so than when they and many others are directed to a nearby Navy base for refuge.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    11 May 2013

  • Essential, unique viewing.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    11 May 2013

  • Trouble the Water is so much better and truer and deeper and more illuminating than either of them ("Bowling for Columbine"/"Fahrenheit 9/11").

    Michael Phillips - The Chicago Tribune

    11 May 2013

  • A deeply moving story of resilience and redemption.

    - The Wall Street Journal

    11 May 2013

  • Lessin and Deal have made Trouble the Water a spellbinder you do not want to miss.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    11 May 2013

Awards

  • Best Documentary, Features

    Academy Awards (2009)

     
  • Tia Lessin

    Full Frame Documentary Film Festival (2008)

  • Tia Lessin

    Gotham Awards (2008)

  • Outstanding Documentary

    Image Awards (2009)

     
  • Tia Lessin

    International Documentary Association (2008)