Spike Lee's heartbreaking documentary concerns itself with the aftermath of the 1963 Birmingham, Alabama church bombing which killed four innocent little African-American girls, prompting a long fight for justice. Lee, a known stylist, simply lets his camera and the survivors of the time do the talking and the effect is shattering. I dare you not to cry your eyes out.
I learned so much by watching this movie. I even brought it to school and shared it with my class. Interesting, educational, and touching. You get to see the people involved as more than names on a plague.
As one could imagine, the film isn't just about the 4 little girls killed in the 16th street baptist church bombing, but about the entire civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama in that era. The film succeeds spectacularly on creating emotional involvement with the story of the four girls, as well as offering insight into the movement. It does better at the points leading up to the church bombing then it does with the aftermath and a prosecution of the bomber, but it still maintains an emotional and informative story with effective documentary techniques.
When the Levee Breaks is Spike Lee's excellent new doco which consolidates his great work on this racist murders in Birmingham. Joan baez title song too!
MCT:September 3, 2008
MCT:January 31, 2008
MCT:June 4, 2007
MCT:March 21, 2006
