Disillusioned by the media coverage of Hurricane Katrina, four girls - two from New York City and two from New Orleans - set out to tell the real story. Armed with video cameras and a sense of personal responsibility, the girls are surprised to discover as much about themselves as New Orleans.

Briceshanay (New Orleans) says, “There have been so many documentaries made about New Orleans, but they don’t tell the whole story.” Katrina forced Briceshanay to fend for herself, and her newfound independence makes working with the other girls a challenge. She tells the camera, “The only thing we have in common is this project, and that we’re human.”



Suprena (NYC) arrives in New Orleans wondering what happened to the people who survived the hurricane. Naturally outspoken, she struggles with the dynamics of working in a group. In her words, “I’m an activist. It’s not an attitude. I speak to make a change.”



It’s important to Rodneka (New Orleans) that no one feels sorry for her or her family. She says, “There’s been too many sad movies already.” Rodneka has a hard time talking about Katrina, “So much to forget, not a whole lot you want to remember, but you have to face it. You have to see it, because it ain’t going nowhere.”




Sade (NYC) wants to know, “Everyone knew the storm was going to happen. So why was nothing done to help people?” Often the group’s peacemaker, she begins to explore the idea that it is artists who rebuild communities.



Talkin’ Water (working title) follows the girls on their quest for “the truth” about Katrina. Weaving together multiple points of view by switching back and forth between footage of the girls and footage they shot themselves, we watch the girls puzzle through their feelings about Katrina, America, and what it means to be growing up chaotic times.


Talkin’ Water is an official selection of the 2007 IFP Market.



Screening Information:
Market Screening at the Angelika Film Center on Monday, September 17th at 12:00 pm.
Click here for more information on the IFP Market.


Director/Producer: Shannon Sonenstein
Producers: Jerald L. White, Jamie Boylan, Reina Higashitani
Producers/Student Instructors: Clarivel Ruiz, Karel Sloane
Editor: April Merl
Camera: Shannon Sonenstein
Youth Camera: Sade Falebita, Briceshanay Gresham, Suprena Henderson, Rodneka Shelbia
Executive Producers: Jon Alpert, Matthew O'Neill


The Charitable Film Network:
A diverse community of New Orleans media makers, dedicated to connecting and collaborating with local nonprofits, activists, and artists on noteworthy grassroots campaigns and programs that contribute to the community–at–large.
Ashé Cultural Arts Center
A New Orleans gathering place for emerging and established artists to present, create and collaborate in giving life to their art.
PRO-TV
DCTV’s Professional Youth Media Training Program which provides young people in NYC with the opportunity to explore, speak out about and document the issues they care most deeply about.

Special thanks to the Open Society Institute and the New Orleans Canal Street Marriott Hotel for their generous support.