Renaissance Village

Given the story told in this documentary directed by Gabe Chasnoff and narrated by New Orleans native Wendell Pierce (The Wire), one can hardly imagine a more inappropriate name for the FEMA-coordinated trailer park set up to house evacuees after Hurricane Katrina than “Renaissance Village.” Located 91 miles north of New Orleans, the enclave's mobile homes provided shelter for 3,000 people, but after the expiration of the agency's self-imposed 18-month deadline for federal assistance, there was no renaissance—indeed, more than half of the community's inhabitants were still living in the squalid, unhealthy structures. With their permanent homes destroyed beyond repair, these one-time city residents were unable to find work in the storm-ravaged region. Without access to affordable options in New Orleans or elsewhere, they became virtual prisoners, suffering damaging financial and psychological effects from being homeless and destitute. In addition, a death at the village revealed abnormally high levels of formaldehyde leakage from the trailers, which were not built to safe housing standards. Renaissance Village focuses on five individuals who find themselves in a legal and economic limbo due to FEMA's bureaucratic bungling. Given the largely African-American demographic at Renaissance, a number of the displaced see their situation as yet another extension of Louisiana-style racist treatment. A harrowing, sorrowful, and disturbing portrait of decent people victimized by their incompetent government, this film offers a powerful reminder that the scars of that catastrophe are nowhere near healed. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)