Natural Disasters

Natural Disasters, a stunningly moving refugee story, reminded me of Bergman's subtle humanism. The protagonist escapes the aftermath of Katrina, only to be confronted by the confusion and anchor-less existence of the displaced. His temporary northern home may offer him physical shelter, but it has no harbor for him, either personally or culturally, in his deepest hour of need. This slow crisis brings the best out of him and his hosts as they are reminded of the primal reasons that underlie all our manners and mannerisms – the desperate need to love and know that one is loved. Beautifully shot, the small-town backdrop comes alive in its simplicity, and the towering, full characters provide all the set-pieces any film could need. This film's artistry truly touched me, and I recommend it to anyone: young or old, Southern or Northern, desperate or bored.