Sarita Rafferty
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
Larry Silverstein
This well-paced documentary, only 56 minutes in length, focuses on the historic community of Turkey Creek, located in Gulfport, Mississippi. The community, and its surrounding woodlands and wetlands, is being threatened by Gulfport's expansion by developers and uncaring politicians.The film highlights the efforts of one Derrick Evans, who grew up in Turkey Creek but now teaches history in Boston, and has purchased several run-down properties there to renovate. Now, seeing the plight of his hometown, which was established in 1866 by 4 couples after slavery was abolished, Derrick will take a leave from his teaching job to travel to Turkey Creek. He will try and form alliances with family, community leaders, and such organizations as the Audubon Society, Sierra Club, and historical societies to save the town of 400 from elimination. However, Derrick will not only have to contend with bulldozers and flooding, he'll also have to deal with the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and later the BP oil spill disaster into the Gulf of Mexico.All in all, this documentary, directed by Leah Mahan, is well presented and an important movie that kept me engaged throughout.