Documentary Reviews
DISASTER DOCUMENTARY
WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE
BBC4, Mon 18 & Tue 19 Dec, 9pm
‘Only in America’ is often a phrase you hear when some weirdness occurs or a mad technological advance has been made. But surely only in a Bush America could hundreds of thousands of people (the bulk of them black and poor) be left to practically fend for themselves after the disaster of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. The fact that Canadian citizens, Venezuelan volunteers and Sean Penn were on the New Orleans scene quicker than the federal government is the biggest indictment of them all. And who better than Spike Lee to document this natural calamity and unnatural response with his four-act requiem which pays tribute on one
hand and condemns with the other.
With amazing footage of the hurricane at its peak and of the post- devastation efforts to save lives and rebuild communities, one conspiracy theory nags away. Could it be possible that the banks were wilfully destroyed in order to save the rich districts by flooding the poor areas? Seems fanciful but this is the widespread belief of New Orleans citizens, particularly those who survived Hurricane Betsy in 1965 and who also feel that the pre-storm warnings were not given proper heed. Whatever the true facts, there is no doubt that some bad decisions were made by the Bush administration during that awful period. Perhaps if this had occurred in an area which the Republicans hadn’t written off as a voting desert, action may have been taken earlier. (Brian Donaldson)
REMOTE CONTROL '
Brian Donaldson uncovers some fine documentaries about faith, feminism and funny folk.
One of the stories of the year had to be the big whale that swam to London. 80. the cryptically titled The Whale that Swam to London (Channel 4, Thu 27 Dec, 8pm) launches upon us dividing opinion between those who thought that it was a natural catastrophe for both humanity and the animal kingdom and the other lot who created spoof web news pages decrying the fuss that was being made with the media's round the clock Whalewatch last January. While around 800 of these
beasts get stranded every year. not all of them end up spouting off near the Houses of Parliament.
Melvyn Bragg must have spouted off in that building in his time but for his 2007 debut of The South Bank Show (STV. Mon 7 Jan, I I. 15pm) he allows Damien Hirst (a man who would surely have been intrigued by the whale story, if only to imagine how well it would have pickled) the opportunity to let a few things off his chest. And boy can that guy natter. Perhaps his relative interview-shynr—zss leads him to storing up the words so that they all come tur‘nbling out in a Jackson Pollock splurge as he dots around
from idea to theory to silly joke. chatting mainly about his sawy transference from BritArt wunderkind to millionaire dealer.
Posh, Baby. Scary. Sporty and Ginger all probably earned a mint or two during their period as more than
just wannabes. but Spice Girls: Ten
Years of Girl Power (Sky One. Sun 37 Dec, 9pm) is concerned with the
lasting legacy of their oeuvre. And host
Julie Burchill reckons that while they may have helped women believe they can be just as feisty as the fellows. it also led to a rash of 8 to i l-year-olds demanding to be clothed in crop tops
and high heels. Which has to be a bad
thing. Ricky Gervais Meets . . .
Garry Shandling (Channel 4, Tue 26
Dec. 77. 75mm is the third of his sit- downs with American comedy icons
after last year's Larry Dawd chat and the Christmas Day get together With Christopher Guest. Here, the man behind the epic Larry Sanders Show seems almost annoyed to see Gervais mooching around in his kitchen and they never quite hit it off. Great clips though.
Channel 4 have cranked up their religious—based programming and Robert Beckford is officially ordained as the station's face of faith With two excellent shows. God Gave Rock and Roll to You (Channel 4, Sat 23 Dec. (5.30pm) explores the hallowed path some musicmns have followed. though it's taken until Kanye West for a credible artist to fully embrace Jesus and get to number one. Unless you
Review of the Year
The Sopranos We haven't half banged on about this in 2006. but with valid reason as the sixth season took Tony’s good/evil dichotomy to new zones as he tried to handle a gay captain. a loopy uncle and an unruly son. SaxondalelExtras Steve Coogan's return to form was a slowburner with a big pay-off and the rollicking appearances of Chris Martin and David Bowie breathed life into the second series of the Merchant/Gervais show.
Prison Break Simply the most audacious new American drama of the year. with a belief suspension required to make this an enjoyable corker.
Lost/Desperate Housewives Some peOple seem to love them. Young@Heart A heart-rending and spirit-lifting experience was ensured when we followed the story of an octogenarian choir on tour in America.
count Sir Cliff. And surely you can't. In The Secret Family of Jesus (Channel 4, Mon 2:3 Dec. 8pm; Bobby delves into the conspiracy theory that Dan Brown missed by wondering whether Jesus had a bunch of siblings who have been airbrushed out of the Bible. It you really care about that kind of thing. you'll probably be shellshocked.
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