Watch Big Easy to Big Empty: The Untold Story of the Drowning of New Orleans

In 2007, a documentary film titled Big Easy to Big Empty: The Untold Story of the Drowning of New Orleans was released. The film was directed by Greg Palast, who also narrated the story, and focused on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that devastated the city of New Orleans in 2005. The film begins by highlighting how the mainstream media portrayed the hurricane as a natural disaster, while neglecting to acknowledge the human-made factors that contributed to the catastrophe. Through interviews with eyewitnesses, residents, activists, and experts, Palast delves deeper into the systemic failures and corruption that caused the city to drown.

One of the central themes of the film is the role of race and class in the response to Hurricane Katrina. Palast exposes how the predominantly African American and poor neighborhoods of New Orleans were neglected and ignored by the authorities before, during, and after the storm, while the wealthy areas received preferential treatment. The film also sheds light on the militarization of the disaster response, with heavily armed troops and private security firms deployed to enforce curfews and suppress dissent.

Palast argues that the flooding of New Orleans was not solely caused by the storm surge, but also by the inadequate and faulty levee system designed and built by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Through interviews with engineers, scientists, and investigators, the film reveals the history of the levee system, which was compromised by corruption, bureaucratic negligence, and environmental degradation long before Katrina hit.

The documentary also exposes the political exploitation and profiteering that followed the disaster, with FEMA and other government agencies awarding lucrative contracts to private contractors with no accountability or transparency. Palast interviews whistle-blowers and journalists who uncovered the fraud and waste in the recovery efforts, as well as the neglect and abuse of the displaced and vulnerable evacuees.

Finally, the film ends on a note of hope and resilience, as it showcases the grassroots organizing and community rebuilding efforts that emerged in the wake of Katrina. Palast features local activists and organizations that fought for social and environmental justice, and worked to transform the tragedy into a catalyst for positive change.

Overall, Big Easy to Big Empty is a powerful and compelling documentary that exposes the untold story of the drowning of New Orleans, and challenges the mainstream narrative of Hurricane Katrina as a natural disaster that no one could have predicted. Through its meticulous research, investigative journalism, poignant interviews, and critical analysis, the film offers a poignant and urgent call for justice and accountability, and a vision of a more just and sustainable future.