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Hurricane on the Bayou
Hurricane on the Bayou Heads Big America Film SeriesFebruary 3 - October 3, 2010Hurricane on the Bayou carries you behind the news headlines on a journey deep into the soulstirring heart of Louisiana — before, during and after the unprecedented devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep, Hurricane on the Bayou is both a haunting document of Katrina's powerful effects, a profound musical celebration of the city that has been called the "soul of America," and a compelling call to estore New Orleans and protect the vital wetlands from which the city's unique identity first arose. The film, sponsored by KOLN/KGIN-TV and Platte River Radio, opens in the Lied Super Screen Theatre on Wednesday, February 3.
"The film showcases the beauty of this area and the threat that it's under, as well as the wonderful Cajun music that this part of America is known for," says Museum Director Becky Matticks. "We're excited to kick-off our Big America film series by not just looking at the natural beauty but also the cultural beauty of this country." The film follows a group of four musicians, both legendary and rising, as they uncover the electrifying culture of New Orleans; explore the beautiful, alligator-filled bayous on airboats; recount their personal stories of Katrina; and most of all, bring the focus to the rapidly disappearing wetlands that are New Orleans' first line of defense against deadly storms. Although these wetlands are vanishing at the astonishing rate of one acre every 30 minutes, the wealth, cultural vitality and very future of New Orleans depend on their preservation.
"We set out originally to tell the story of a future, hypothetical hurricane and how the rapid erosion of the wetlands left New Orleans more vulnerable to flooding," says Greg MacGillivray, the film's director, "but when Katrina struck in the middle of doing that, we were no longer filming what might happen, we were suddenly more like news reporters filming what did happen. We had to completely rethink the film, which evolved into a much broader and more deeply emotional story than we ever imagined."
"Hurricane on the Bayou is not just the moving story of how four remarkable musicians survived Katrina and are facing the future, nor is it just the story of how the destruction of the wetlands is wreaking devastation for both humans and animals," Greg MacGillivray summarizes. "I think it is really about the tremendous value of New Orleans and Louisiana to our nation. I hope we reveal what a treasure this city is – a wild swampland that turned into a fantastic center for music, food and the enjoyment of life itself. To lose New Orleans would be an unthinkable tragedy." Hurricane on the Bayou can be seen each week, Tuesday through Sunday, at the Lied Super Screen Theatre from February 3 through October 5, 2010. Premiere members are encouraged to make reservations as soon as possible for the premiere on Tuesday, February 2. Please call Visitor Services at 402-461-4629 or 1-800-508-4629 for showtimes or to purchase tickets. The Big America film series continues in June with our next giant screen film, Grand Canyon Adventure: River At Risk. Join river advocate Robert Kennedy Jr. on an exhilarating river-rafting adventure down the Colorado River and experience the beauty and majesty of the Grand Canyon. To learn more about the film, visit http://www.hurricaneonthebayou.com Click here for showtimes
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