New Orleans On My Mind

I just finished the book Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. The story follows Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a Syrian contractor living in New Orleans, before, during and after hurricane Katrina. It was amazing to me to learn how one man can be so courageous, generous and intelligent and yet be trapped in the ridiculous crisis management that took place during this tragic event. The bureaucratic brutality was just horrifying to read when I really heard nothing about this living my daily life. I don't know if I was just closing my eyes to the whole situation at the time, but now my eyes are wide open. This is a true story and I'm sure there are many other stories like Zeitoun's out there that should be heard.


Coincidentally, I have also been watching the new show Treme on HBO that takes place in New Orleans three months after hurricane Katrina. The show follows the interconnecting lives of several struggling musicians and locals in their beloved city. It's really an amazing show and has once again enlightened me to the issues that took place in my own country. Definitely check out the show. It's on Sunday nights at 10pm. At least listen to the opening song...it's amazing!

Street Sm-art

Yesterday my husband and I went to see the movie "Exit Through the Gift Shop." I had seen a good review on "At the Movies" and heard from a friend recently that it was sold out when she went to go see it, so I was intrigued. I have to say that this was one of my favorite movies so far this year. First of all, this short film is not only insightful and fun to look at, but it's funny, and it's all in an hour and a half. It brings you into the world of underground street artists through a documentary that ends up being a documentary sort of about the making of a documentary.

The film begins with Banksy, a well known British street artists who is also the creator of this film, saying that this was suppose to be a film about him but it ends up being about the guy who was filming him because he's actually more interesting. The film began as the obsession of Thierry Guetta, a French immigrant in Los Angeles, who became fascinated by street art and spent years filming the art and its creators. As Thierry follows various street artists filming days and days of footage, he begins to get involved with making street art himself, even though he has no artistic talent. Now I don't want to ruin the movie for you but I have to say that as it continues there is a twist that has caused a lot of speculation and theories on whether this was a real documentary or a Banksy hoax. I definitely say "See It" and let me know what you decide.