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Katrina Babies

Documentary Competition

World Premiere

FEATURE | United States | 79 MINUTES | English |

KATRINA BABIES

Documentary

Katrina Babies director Edward Buckles Jr. was 12 when Hurricane Katrina changed everything. Now a filmmaker and media instructor in New Orleans, Buckles has found common cause—and shared trauma—with young people whose lives were similarly shaped by the storm. The film’s interview subjects were between 3 and 19 years old when the storm hit: Some stayed in New Orleans, and were pulled from churning, filthy waters after days of fear and hunger. Others fled the city, living in poisonous FEMA trailers and wondering if they’d ever be able to go home. 

Katrina Babies employs a lively mix of documentary styles, capturing both the unique, joyful flavor of Black culture in the Crescent City and the nightmarish conditions on the ground in the aftermath of the storm. Buckles’ connection to his subjects is palpable, and he adds a personal element by asking his own parents and cousins for their Katrina memories. One young woman breaks down mid-interview, explaining that she’s never talked about this before. “Why?,” Buckles asks. “Because nobody ever asked me,” she replies. Katrina Babies tells the story of a forgotten, displaced, furious—and yes, resilient— generation in their own words.--Karen McMullen

Part of the Juneteenth programming. Sponsored by:

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CAST & CREDITS

Directed by Edward Buckles Jr.

Edward Buckles is a filmmaker, director and producer. His path to filmmaking has birthed a unique brand of visual storytelling and guerilla-style documentation. Buckles continues to find inspiration in his people and innovative ways to share the stories of Black communities that would otherwise be lost. 

Director
Edward Buckles Jr.
Producer
Edward Buckles Jr., Audrey Rosenberg, Rebecca Teitel
Screenwriter
Edward Buckles Jr., Luther Clement Lam, Audrey Rosenberg
Cinematographer
Edward Buckles Jr.
Editor
Fiona Otway, Luther Clement Lam
Composer
Osei Essed
Executive Producer
Chike Ozah, Coodie Simmons, Eileen Tavarez, Jess Jacobs, Ian Orefice, Loren Hammonds, Alexa Conway, Mike Beck
Supervising Editor
Gabriel Rhodes
Cast
Miesha Williams, Cierra Chenier, Arnold Burks, Damaris Calliet, Calvin Baxter, Quintina Thomas Green

CONTACTS

Press Contact
Veronica Van Pelt
HBO
New York, New York 10001
Phone: 3233266931
veronica.vanpelt@warnermedia.com
Press Contact
Asheba Edghill
WARNER BROS DISCOVERY/ HBO
BROOKLYN, New York 11221
Phone: 212 512 7331
Asheba.Edghill@warnermedia.com
Print Source
Sarah Eshaghian
HBO
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 917-803-4664
sarah.eshaghian@hbo.com
Sales Contact
Sarah Eshaghian
HBO
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 917-803-4664
sarah.eshaghian@hbo.com