After the Storm
Screening: Thursday, 7:30 pm, April 8th
After the Storm is a feature length, non-profit documentary following a group of New York Broadway actors inspired to help the youth of New Orleans. Led by writer James Lecesne and filmmaker Hilla Medalia, the group traveled to New Orleans to see what they could do.
They stage a musical theater production of the Broadway play Once On This Island with local teenagers at the St. Marks Community Center located at the edge of the French Quarter. St. Mark’s was one of the oldest and most active centers in the city but had been hit hard by Katrina and was forced to shut down. Shortly after finding St. Marks the New York crew raised enough money to open its doors again and this is where they worked with the kids. The film follows the crew and the kids from the first day of auditions to the opening night performance.
View the trailer at www.afterthestormfoundation.org/movement.cfm
The musical Once On This Island tells the story of a mythical Caribbean island following a devastating hurricane. The parallels are obvious. The action of the play follows a peasant girl discovering her purpose in life in the wake of a terrible storm and the film captures the young actors doing the same in their lives. Within the framework of this play the young actors reveal their personal stories, struggles and victories as they try to make sense of their world. These teens have experienced death, destruction, loss and displacement and yet their spirit isn’t broken. They use music, art, drama and dance to examine their own lives and to express themselves to the world.
After the Storm explores the cultural landscape of New Orleans as thru the eyes of these teenage artists. The goal of the film, thru character development and a narrative scene structure, is to create an emotional and entertaining storytelling experience that celebrates the spirit and culture of New Orleans at a specific point in history.
After the Storm tells the story of a unique American city and how it is beginning to piece itself back together. The film also explores how art can be used as a tool for healing and growth and the power a community wields by telling its story to each other – and to the world.
Winner of awards at the Heartland Film Festival and Woodstock Film Festival in 2009.
Film is rated Family Friendly (FF)
Windrider Bay Area presents a viewing of “After the Storm” with conversation following this feature length film.
