You are here:

Waters Rising

Name: Waters Rising
Director: Greg Carter
Released: 2007
Duration: 93 min

Representation Score

3.6/10

Limited

2007

Director

Greg Carter

Runtime

93 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Waters Rising is a character-driven drama that highlights the lived experiences of Black evacuees from New Orleans, focusing on the socioeconomic changes following Hurricane Katrina. The film provides a specific look at racialized mobility and the loss of status among residents of the Desire Projects. However, the narrative is predominantly centered on male perspectives, limiting the exploration of gender hierarchies and diverse social structures. Despite offering ability to act to characters of color amid a systemic crisis, the film's narrow focus results in a moderate overall assessment.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Waters Rising have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships, focusing solely on the socioeconomic journeys of two male characters.

How does Waters Rising portray gender?

Fair

The story primarily revolves around male experiences, showing the rise and fall of a crime boss and a clerk. The lack of female characters restricts the exploration of gender diversity.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Waters Rising?

Good

The film centers on Black individuals from New Orleans' Desire Projects, highlighting the impact of Hurricane Katrina and the ability to act of characters of color during their relocation.

How does Waters Rising represent religion and culture?

Good

The movie explores themes of social displacement and the disruption of established orders, examining the fragility of institutions through the eyes of characters forced to adapt in new environments.

Does Waters Rising include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature any characters dealing with physical, neurodivergent, or mental health conditions.

Present on Screen

The film centers on the lived experiences of Black evacuees from New Orleans, providing meaningful racial representation.
It offers a nuanced look at the shifting dynamics of masculine dominance and socioeconomic status through the character of Jay Dee.
Characters of color are given a significant role in driving the story as they navigate post-disaster landscapes.

Limited or Absent

The focus on two male protagonists leads to a lack of gender diversity.
The absence of LGBTQ+ identities and perspectives limits the film's multi-layered reach.
No characters with physical or mental disabilities are represented in the story.

Official Synopsis

Two Hurricane Katrina evacuees from the Desire Projects in New Orleans who both end up in Houston after the storm. The storm twists the fates of these two men. The first, Jay Dee, was a feared and powerful crime boss who is humbled when he loses everything and winds up as a lowly clerk at a retail chain store. The second, Shawn, an underachieving poor kid from the neighborhood gets a fresh start and becomes a writer/novelist.

How are these scores produced? →