Spike Lee Captures New Orleans’ Spirit: “Katrina: Come Hell and High Water” Review

The impact of Hurricane Katrina remains immeasurable, blending a catastrophic natural disaster with stark racial and socio-economic disparities that predominantly affected poor African American communities. This event is arguably one of the most pivotal in the history of Black Americans in the 21st century. It’s understandable, then, that the 20th anniversary of this disaster has been marked by multiple major documentary series, with notable directors Spike Lee and Ryan Coogler each producing their own series.

Yet, while viewing “Katrina: Come Hell and High Water,” there’s a sense that perhaps Lee and Coogler could have coordinated better to avoid overlapping content. Lee’s series, which launched on Netflix aligned with the anniversary week, is somewhat overshadowed by Coogler’s “Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time,” which premiered a month earlier on Disney+ and National Geographic. Both documentaries often tread the same ground, utilizing similar footage and interviews, which may dilute the impact of Lee’s installment.

However, the story they tell is crucial and potent. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina, a Category 5 storm—the highest rating possible—struck New Orleans. Evacuation orders were issued too late, and many residents, particularly those with limited financial resources, found themselves trapped. New Orleans’ geography, much of it below sea level, rendered the city exceptionally vulnerable. Although floodwalls and drainage canals were in place, they proved inadequate when faced with the storm’s ferocity, leading to widespread flooding of entire neighborhoods. The death toll reached 1,392, with thousands more displaced within their own city. Assistance was painfully slow to arrive, with local authorities overwhelmed and the national government, under President George W. Bush, appearing indifferent.

“Come Hell and High Water” is more emotive and poignant than Coogler’s more factual yet equally angry portrayal in “Race Against Time.” The former provides a less detailed timeline of the events leading up to the disaster and offers a narrower view of New Orleans’ vulnerabilities. However, it excels at depicting the terrifying surge of floodwaters and effectively highlights the racism that influenced media and political responses to the disaster. The documentary shows the harsh treatment of Black individuals who, in dire circumstances, took supplies from abandoned stores, quickly being labeled as looters needing to be controlled—a scrutiny not equally applied to white victims in similar situations.

While these themes are not absent in Coogler’s series, one might consider watching “Race Against Time” for a comprehensive understanding, though returning to Lee’s closing feature is recommended. This final episode offers an extensive oral history of New Orleans in the two decades following Katrina, featuring insights from cultural figures like actor Wendell Pierce and musician Branford Marsalis, alongside survivors of the hurricane.

The documentary details how the city’s unique culture was systematically suppressed, beginning with aggressive claims by insurance companies and banks. A federal rebuilding initiative favored wealthier neighborhoods by allocating funds based on pre-storm property values. Public services suffered from severe underfunding, Black educators faced mass layoffs, and many, particularly from the Black middle class, relocated to cities like Atlanta or Houston.

The series also touches on the rise in crime leading to a boom in private prisons, and gentrification transforming historically Black neighborhoods into predominantly white spaces. These issues are presented rapidly, making it challenging to delve deeply into each before moving to the next. The director’s choice to emphasize key interview phrases with on-screen captions sometimes feels trivial.

Nevertheless, Lee sensitively captures the enduring spirit and culture of New Orleans, concluding on a note of resilient joy. He portrays a city that is reviving, refusing to serve as a blueprint for the obliteration of communities that resist conformity. “Come Hell and High Water” is a moving homage to both the losses endured and the injustices imposed, yet it reassures us that New Orleans, though forever changed, will persist.

• “Katrina: Come Hell and High Water” is available on Netflix now.