Question

write a brief essay that explains how the directors' use of cinematic and/or narrative techniques in the clip reveals their bias toward their subject. In particular, explain how the clip suggests/reveals the importance of a particular lens in the film.

Answer 1

Answer: Down Below!

“Trouble the Water” is a documentary film that tells the story of Kimberly Rivers Roberts and her husband, who were residents of the Ninth Ward in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. The film uses footage shot by Kimberly before, during, and after the storm to provide a first-hand account of the disaster and its aftermath 1.

The directors of “Trouble the Water,” Tia Lessin and Carl Deal, use a combination of Kimberly’s footage and their own to reveal their bias towards their subject. By including Kimberly’s raw and unfiltered footage, the directors allow the audience to see the events of Hurricane Katrina through the eyes of someone who experienced it first-hand. This footage is powerful because it shows the reality of what happened in New Orleans during and after the storm.

The film also uses interviews with Kimberly and her neighbors to provide additional context and perspective on the events that took place. These interviews reveal the struggles that residents of the Ninth Ward faced before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina. The directors use these interviews to highlight the systemic issues that contributed to the disaster, such as poverty, racism, and government neglect.

One particular lens that is important in “Trouble the Water” is the lens of social justice. The film highlights the ways in which residents of the Ninth Ward were failed by their government and left to fend for themselves during a time of crisis. By including footage of residents being turned away from shelters and being left without aid for days after the storm, the directors reveal their bias towards social justice and their belief that more should have been done to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Overall, “Trouble the Water” uses a combination of cinematic and narrative techniques to reveal its bias towards its subject. By including first-hand footage and interviews with those who experienced Hurricane Katrina, the film provides a powerful and moving account of a disaster that continues to have an impact on those who lived through it.