Getting Back to Abnormal

Getting Back to Abnormal was very well-received in its World Premiere at Austin's SXSW Film Festival. The film's honest and fair look at politics is reminiscent of co-director Paul Stekler's Last Man Standing. The film honestly examines the racial divisions in New Orleans where the demographic changes after Katrina – the loss of significant portion of the city's African-American population – are causing political changes. The film focuses on Caucasian Councilwoman Stacy Head who is seeking reforms and not afraid to ruffle some feathers in the process. Unfortunately, some of her efforts lead to a backlash among some African-Americans who castigate her as a racist. The racial politics of what former Mayor Ray Nagin referred to as the "Chocolate City" are complex and raise profound questions of whether groups are better represented by individuals who share their racial identity. The film encapsulates the racial politics that are present in many cities, but are also particular to New Orleans own peculiar racial history. The film lovingly captures a city that is unlike any other as it tries to reconstruct itself from the ashes of the Hurricane Katrina. It is a moment of great promise and great confusion and Getting Back to Abnormal captures the political moment perfectly.