"That’s what capitalism is about, every place becomes more like every place else."
This short offers a lovely, understated look at two of the remaining residents of New Orleans’ Batture community, a settlement along the Mississippi River. Though at the end we learn the filmmakers drew from a larger book about the subject, the documentary takes a narrower focus in simply spending time with these two residents as they talk about the experience of living in this unique community. It opens with absolutely stunning imagery of nature and the homes nestled within, accompanied by gentle piano music which fades to let us in on the sounds of the everyday. While I was curious about some of the deeper issues or topics raised here – the dangers of capitalism, nature, and the efforts from various actors to do away with the community – clearly, the film wants us just to sit with the moments we are given here. It knows its own length and is clearly looking to paint a concise picture of this space, just one glimpse into a larger way of life. In this, it certainly succeeds.
Some Kind of Refuge had its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January and its Canadian premiere at Hot Docs, with future screenings to be announced.
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