BetteR Documentary Series
BetteR, a documentary web series produced by NOVAC with support from the Foundation for Louisiana and the Office of Community Development of Baton Rouge, focuses on the aftermath of the violence and flooding of the Summer of 2016. The documentary shorts highlight the community organizing efforts and political and artistic responses to the violence that culminated in the shooting of Alton Sterling and the ambush of local law enforcement officers. BetteR also follows the work of those struggling to clean up and rebuild an already devastated community in the wake of summer flooding on an unheard of scale.
The series was produced via a community-engagement model, where NOVAC: BR produced four short documentaries in partnership with local filmmakers and creative industry trainees, and then awarded five $500 micro-grants to local filmmakers, who are all Baton Rouge residents, mostly natives, and for whom the grant represented not only a chance to create media about their hometown, but an economic boost to media professionals who were adversely affected by the flooding.
Films include:
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- ‘The Devil is in the Details’: a NOVAC:BR produced documentary about the organizing efforts of Together Baton Rouge, an interfaith community group, facing, after this summer’s events, the election of a new council and mayor.
- ‘Just a House’: a portrait of a young woman seeing her grandmother’s flood-devastated house for the first time, by Margo Clark & Anthony Cox
- ‘The Badge’: produced by NOVAC:BR, a look at the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives’ efforts to build community with African American students
- ‘Untowed Story’: by Pamela Turner & Chasidy Morris, follows a local tow-truck driver, who lost her truck and almost lost her life in the summer floods, as she reclaims her truck and her livelihood.
- ‘The Newsroom’: by Marcus Brown focuses on how intense, newsworthy moments like the shooting of Alton Sterling and subsequent protests, affect and challenge a local newsrooms.
- ‘I Just Draw Pictures’: NOVAC:BR follows Jo Hines, the artist who painted the Alton Sterling mural as he shows us that art is healing for both the artist and the viewer and can bring positivity to tragic situations.
- ‘Off the Sidewalks, Into the Streets’: by Zandashe Brown highlights those involved in the protests this summer and asks that their motives not be forgotten as we move forward together.
- ‘Flooded with You’: by Evan Kidd reveals the inspiring, strong family bond of the Davis family whose homes were flooded and who now live all together in one small apartment.
- ‘Morning will Rise’: produced by NOVAC: BR and Jess Kantor as part of a Virtual Reality production workshop, this 360 dance video takes dancer, Meagan Delatte, through flood ravaged Baton Rouge.
Please contact jillian@novacvideo.org for additional information.
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