+ About the Film
NO Cross, NO Crown is a timely and engaging feature documentary that examines how New Orleans’ music and culture can survive the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
NO Cross, NO Crown documents how New Orleans has been a fundamental element of American music since its inception, embracing the unique artists and underdogs that make up her inhabitants. And while New Orleans was entrenched in a rich history of struggle and the blending of European and African cultural streams, America’s identity and culture flourished to the soundtracks of blues, jazz, hip-hop, rock n’ roll, gospel and R&B—all of which have their origins in New Orleans.
The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has had a chilling effect on the thriving musical community. Much of the media coverage focused on the physical destruction of homes and businesses, the familial and friendly ties that have been broken, the looting, violence, death toll and the paramount task of rebuilding.
NO Cross, NO Crown instead dissects the cultural significance of the disaster through the voices of musicians and other artists and shows that if we let New Orleans wither on the vine, post-Katrina, we’ll be lesser of a country for it.
NO Cross, NO Crown starts with the normally ambient, celebratory tone of New Orleans, introducing the audience to musicians, radio programmers, authors and artists who share their perspective of what makes New Orleans so cozy, unique and the embodiment of the ambitious American Dream, all the while interweaving their sentiments on the music scene, Katrina and what will become of their musically-rooted lives.
Since Katrina, families and generations of musicians has been uprooted, their instruments, art rooms and music collections destroyed, their friends and colleagues are dead or displaced. Still, they seem determined to come home and do what they can to help pull it back together but are hesitant to believe it won’t fall victim to homogenization and continued rotten politics where the government won’t build a place for their families to learn, live and work. The mere spirit of New Orleans and the people is not good enough without government infrastructure. Without it, what is there to come back to?
NO Cross, NO Crown uses archival footage to establish the city’s rich history and extensive contribution to American culture by giving us the musical identity that practically defines us. The effect parallels the crafty, artsy, homey feel New Orleans exudes. And as with any movie based on New Orleans music, NO Cross, NO Crown features a top-notch soundtrack featuring only New Orleans musicians.
Over 30 musicians and experts speak out about New Orleans’ musical heritage with its dozens of styles, outlets, backgrounds and sources of inspiration and what the future of the city and American music holds. Included are Why New Orleans Matters author Tom Piazza, Mardi Gras Indian Chief Alfred Doucette, American Routes host Nick Spitzer, Creole Serenader Don Vappie, Center for the Study of the American South Senior Associate Director Bill Ferris, jazz and gospel singer Topsy Chapman, Swing Trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, chart-topping singer/song writer Clarence “Frogman” Henry and many more.
