A Place Called Desire offers unforgettable history lessons applicable to American history, Louisiana history, African American history, urban history, racial history, studies of neighborhoods, studies of survival, and memorable stories of love and community. Somehow the filmmaker manages to share hard truths with a gentle touch. ~ Dr. Al Kennedy
Winner 2020 Silver Telly Award | 2020 AVA Gold Award | Finalist Best Documentary San Diego Black Film Festival | Official Selection San Francisco Black Film Festival | Award of Recognition Impact DOCS Awards | Semifinalist Rootstech Film Festival | Nominated for the 2020 LEH Humanities Documentary Film of the Year | Official Selection New Orleans Film Festival | 2021 Winner of the Best Documentary and Winner of the Audience Jury Award in the Black Film Festival of New Orleans | 2021 Winner of Louisiana Heritage Media Award.
“Nobody can dim the light which shines from within”
as penned by Maya Angelou, is the perfect metaphor for Desire.
THE FILM
“When you look at the times we’re in, Desire is the perfect storm of black America’s plight. Nixon, landfill, shoddy construction, war on drugs, geographic isolation, police showdown, incarceration. And it all started out as just a place where families were trying to nurture their kids in an affordable location. What a story.” LJ
The story of A Place Called Desire is one that will resonate with most people trying to find strength in a tough place. The story of trials and tribulations teaches us, as only a few stories can, about the essential wisdom of pushing through when times get tough, learning to fight against all odds. How many people in Desire preserved with grit and courage.
Those outside of the community told the stories you may have heard. We will present this film from a unique vantage point–that of insiders. Since 2008, we have interviewed over 60 individuals telling the stories of their lives in the Desire Community. They speak of a place that is not the same story that the press often portrayed. There were struggles, many struggles, but there were also strengths and positives in this tight-knit community of thousands.
A PLACE CALLED DESIRE
