Explores the impact of hurricane Katrina from the point of view of children from all walks of life in New Orleans

This memorable and highly evocative documentary examines the effects of Hurricane Katrina through the eyes, voices, and drawings of the city’s children. With their disarming honesty and innocent wisdom, the children are at once witnesses, victims, heroes and survivors. The film, like the children, is both deeply moving and at times refreshingly funny.

The children come from all walks of life: from the daughter of a former queen of Carnival, to underprivileged kids still stuck in Texas. Their common denominator is Katrina - an event that affected them all, to varying degrees. The similarities and differences between these children are at times surprising and reveal patterns and problems that predate Katrina.

By focusing exclusively on children’s experiences, KATRINA’S CHILDREN humanizes this epic storm and seeks to understand the tragic ramifications in a small intimate way. The children’s artwork is brought to life through animation and captures with vivid poignancy the children’s interior universe.

Aching with sadness, yet grounded in hope, KATRINA’S CHILDREN is ultimately a celebration of children’s extraordinary resilience and a tribute to New Orleans’ unique and indomitable spirit.

Katrina’s Children

What's This?

What's This?

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Katrina’s Children

Release Year: 2008

Duration: 83 min

Availability: Worldwide

Related: Health, Life & Culture

This memorable and highly evocative documentary examines the effects of Hurricane Katrina through the eyes, voices, and drawings of the city’s children. With their disarming honesty and innocent wisdom, the children are at once witnesses, victims, heroes and survivors. The film, like the children, is both deeply moving and at times refreshingly funny.

The children come from all walks of life: from the daughter of a former queen of Carnival, to underprivileged kids still stuck in Texas. Their common denominator is Katrina - an event that affected them all, to varying degrees. The similarities and differences between these children are at times surprising and reveal patterns and problems that predate Katrina.

By focusing exclusively on children’s experiences, KATRINA’S CHILDREN humanizes this epic storm and seeks to understand the tragic ramifications in a small intimate way. The children’s artwork is brought to life through animation and captures with vivid poignancy the children’s interior universe.

Aching with sadness, yet grounded in hope, KATRINA’S CHILDREN is ultimately a celebration of children’s extraordinary resilience and a tribute to New Orleans’ unique and indomitable spirit.

Directed by

Laura Belsey

Produced by

Laura Belsey

Babs Johnson

Executive Producer

Richard Colton

Music

Jay Weigel

Edited by

Guido Stadelmann

Animation