In New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward, respected community activist and larger-than-life character Carolyn Parker is known as a "lady of action." When her house and neighborhood were ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, Parker wouldn't leave or give in. Director Jonathan Demme follows Parker in her five-year struggle to move out of her FEMA supplied trailer, back to the home she loves. At the same time, she fights to keep her local Catholic church from closing its doors. The sixtysomething Parker is a veteran of past civil rights protests against segregation. Retired from her position as a cook and crippled by knee problems, Parker speaks out against government bureaucrats, and lobbies for a community plagued by theft, vandalism, and fly-by-night contractors. Faith, humor, and a lot of good down-home New Orleans cooking sustain Parker and her grown daughter. Demme periodically drops in on Parker, chronicling her victories and setbacks, which include a health crisis following knee surgery. Parker is a colorful and eloquent subject, surrounded by an interesting assortment of neighborhood friends in this PBS-aired documentary that reminds us how true heroes are often the unrecognized people around us. DVD extras include an interview with Demme. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)
I'm Carolyn Parker: The Good, the Mad, and the Beautiful
(2012) 90 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.95 w/PPR). PBS Video. Closed captioned. ISBN: 978-1-60883-767-0. Volume 28, Issue 2
I'm Carolyn Parker: The Good, the Mad, and the Beautiful
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: