Spanish Lake is an unincorporated area of greater St. Louis, MO (not far from racial flashpoint Ferguson), with a significant history in the development of America's Westward Expansion (Lewis and Clark spent some time there, and the region served as a base in the 18th and 19th centuries for subsequent journeys into Oregon territory). Filmmaker Phillip Andrew Morton's fascinating documentary Spanish Lake, centering on the ebb and flow of class and racial politics in America as seen through the prism of one troubled community chronicles the history of what happened in the area during the 20th century and beyond. A case study in white flight from middle-class neighborhoods and the mishandling of federal programs meant to provide low-rent or no-rent housing for low-income families, Spanish Lake earlier thrived for decades as a farming haven followed by the postwar development of suburban neighborhoods. But the creation of HUD-financed housing projects that were poorly maintained and inadequately policed inevitably resulted in crime and decay, setting off decades of escalating problems in the community—from trouble in schools to weird capital developments (the Church of Scientology opened a major operation)—leading to smoldering resentment felt by the people who moved away and then saw their old homes fall apart. The film is careful not to paint a completely grim picture in broad strokes—many nice homes and fine families are found in Spanish Lake neighborhoods—but the convergence of economic, racial, and sociological phenomena in the area says much about the fault lines that continue to undermine the American Dream. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)
Spanish Lake
(2014) 78 min. DVD: $59.95 ($299 w/PPR). Passion River. Volume 30, Issue 1
Spanish Lake
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: