Uncut from New Orleans
New Orleans. Like many Americans, I watched with a combination of fascination, horror and great sadness as water destroyed countless acres of New Orleans in August of 2005. For days we all watched as citizens of our country stood on roofs surrounded by water, waving their arms for help. Many of us wondered what the hell was happening in our great country that these people were still waiting for help as the hours burned past.
Like many, I was outraged and placed the blame squarely on an administration that seemed to be concerned with everything but the welfare of the people it had been charged to protect. The more I learned, the more angry I became. Michael Brown? Who is this man? What was your excuse? Oh, I see, New Orleans was the problem. Well then, that's that.
One of the only bright spots in this whole disaster was the American people, who donated money, goods and other things they perhaps couldn't spare to help their neighbors, showing out the Bush administration for the ineffective and completely dangerous bunch they were.
Three years later, I wanted to go to New Orleans with a film crew and talk to some of the people there to try to get an understanding of where they were at present, how they were feeling and what the state of their city was. Basically, I wanted to see what three years and billions of dollars devoted to reconstruction and restoration gets you.
For the millions of people from all over America and the world, New Orleans is much more than a city. It is culture, it is life, it is a damn good time. If we lose New Orleans, we lose big. I wanted to remind people that while things are better than when parts of the city were submerged, there is still a long way to go to bring the city back to full strength. Also, what I wanted to point out was that there's more than just rebuilding to be done in New Orleans. To prevent future disasters, a great deal of attention must be paid to the environmental factors that will absolutely impact the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana if a great deal of attention and concern is not directed at this very large man made problem.
Thanks to our excellent producers, sturdy film crew and good luck, I think we have put together a good bit of programming that is worth watching. I am thankful to IFC for allowing us the budget and the boundless latitude needed to do the work and bring all this to light. I hope you watch this and that it inspires you to never forget one of the vital cultural bastions the world has, New Orleans.
Henry Rollins: Uncut from New Orleans
Tune in: Friday, November 7th at 10:30pm EST/PST
IFC (Independent Film Channel)
A new Rollins documentary/live stage show every Friday night through the month of November only on IFC.
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I saw this on Saturday morning. Hard to see. I still can't believe that LA still looks like this 3 years after the storm. Thank you, Henry for putting out this reminder of yet another failure of the Bush administration.
Actually, thanks for all that you do.
Mr Rollins...Brav friggin -O
I've been a long time fan but seldom articulate my adulation for those in the cameras eye...regardless, your work is a crucial art form that resonates with so many people. I sat transfixed to your program last night and was artfully moved through my emotional paces...Thank you for continually pouring your self into your work and sharing Some (I'm sure we cant bridge the ethereal distance to appreciate ALL that which you've experienced in this sojourn) of what you've digested for our benefit...I for one am better for having seen your program...I will be better still ,when I decide how best to affect some of the changes called for in your impassioned and resolutely entertaining show piece...Thank you...be well and blessed be
Not a climatolgist though any length of forecast between August, 2005 and June, 2008?
Great f#ckin job on the Pol Pot / Katrina analogy! Very inspirational.
I loved the film and you made me want to move to NOLA. If I ever get 2 dimes to rub together, I just might.
I applaud the decision making value of filming a ravaged New Orleans and the ongoing efforts to rebuild the area while slapping the wrists of government who failed a city that had been failing themselves for years in many way but I am left with sincere doubt.
Mr Rollins went to New Orleans three years later backed by a camera crew and not sooner armed with a pen. He is an articulate and respected writer. Respectfully, I wonder if I am suppose to be thankful that his celebrity status has risen and he now speaks with a more social and political voice or cautious that IFC has grabbed his audience, his numbers and vice versa. Isn't this all a part and parcel of the same big corporate system Rollins wails that righteous indignation about on stage night after night or is Hollywood not a corporation just a necessary evil or not evil at all? Maybe I'm just young explain it to me. I assume Henry is earnest in his outreach. I wonder at what point the famous must ask themselves which master do I serve: the man or the message? I'm trying to get my head around this.
This is not confrontation it's pure wonder and sincerity. I remain a fan your spoken word and music.
I went to college in New Orleans, and you are absolutely right. It is so much more than just a city. It's that "lezzez les bon" state of mind, that feeling of community, that constant hunger for spice and that odd sense of being surrounded by happy ghosts. Katrina didn't just wipe out houses, but it wounded a spirit that will one day recover long after they rebuild. But never doubt the strength of the people there. They are resilient.
Hit the nail on the head on that one. It is STILL a mess down in the Gulf Coast and after 12 trips and after giving over 200 musical instruments we are STILL seeing the need, please do not forget . As part of The Feel Good Tour we will be going again this winter.
Thanks for keeping this in the news!
Thank you, mr. Henry...
As a VOLUNTEER member of the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Team, I was deployed to NOLA for 14 weeks after Katrina/Rita and 4 weeks for Gustav/Ike.
I have experienced shocking examples of what is WRONG & what is RIGHT, with our country & its beyond pathetic response to natural disasters...
The priority was NEVER the PEOPLE; it was the OIL/GAS! That is a fact!
I hadn't been back since Katrina /Rita & was just stunned at the LACK of PROGRESS & HELP/CONCERN for the people/ the land/ the future of NOLA.
The Lower 9th ward/ St. Bernard Parrish looked as if Katrina/Rita had happened yesterday.( i was there Pre-landfall for Gustav /Ike) I just couldn't believe SO LITTLE had been done!
I just can't understand how we spend BILLIONS in another country & yet can't take care of our OWN, HERE, in our collective backyards! Charity begins @ home & we should all be ashamed of letting this happen, not only to NOLA, but , in Galveston & the Midwest this summer.
I was also amazed at the number of fellow VOLUNTEERS & others who came to help those in need. I'm humbled & honored to know WE can make a difference, even when our government can't. That gives me HOPE!
Commonsense isn't common, so, we must EDUCATE & APPRECIATE what we are, what we need & what we can be... together.
United we stand & divided we fall...
Aloha Henry ....mutual friend of Don Bajema here , it's been awhile -- great to hear your voice again.
I will definitely tune in. I'd love to take my project to any of the kids there you feel might benefit
from a splash of creativity and expression seeandsprout.com.
I was there earlier this year and it's true there are some parts that just sadden one when you realize how little has been done.
Thanks, Mr. Rollins, for always telling it like it is.
Mr. Rollins, don't take this the wrong way, but... I love you. You speak. You are unafraid. You are intelligent. Your music hooked me way back in the day, but your intellect has fed me. You are patriotic and unfaltering.
I am one of those people that do not believe all celebrities are nothing but fluff. You have proven that over and over again.
See Tracy Lea Carnes's Profile
Hey Henry,
Being from Louisiana, it truly breaks my heart that my own government hasn't done what it should for the great people of New Orleans. It's taken regular citizens with open hearts and pocket books to rebuild it.
Thank you so much for keeping the story of New Oleans alive. Some of the best times of my life were spent in that city! I'm looking forward to seeing what you put together.
You and IFC rock! Keep it up.
On his show, Jon Stewart made the the excellent point that Bush did next to nothing after Hurricane Katrina to prove that government can do next to nothing to help the American people. The distillation of the venality of Reaganism and conservatism in general.
Nicely said. I agree with your writing. Does anyone know why the state of Louisiana voted for McCain? I am pretty baffled by this.
McCain may have won Louisiana but Obama took New Orleans by a landslide!
Orleans Parish--
Obama 79.3% 116,042
McCain 19.2% 28,041
Thank you Henry.
The City That Care Forgot CARES!
See Tracy Lea Carnes's Profile
I loved the NY times red/blue voter map by county/parish. I live in Caddo Parish, McCain country. I was thrilled to see we went Obama and even more thrilled to see that N.O. sent a deliberate message to Bush with their vote.
It's Friday - my favorite day in N.O. Three hour lunch at Galatoire's! Save me a seat and a shrimp remoulade salad. I'll be down there soon.
Well said as usual, Henry.
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