Elliot M. Katz, DVM, Founder and President, In Defense of Animals
I very much enjoyed your documentary. Congratulations on your fine work. It’s an excellent portrayal of what went on in Louisiana.
Wayne Pacelle, President, The Humane Society of the United States, Washington DC
Fantastic job!
Ripley Forbes, American Humane Association, Washington, DC
This hard-hitting documentary is now a permanent part of our Hurricane Katrina record of archival material. Thank you for your powerful expression of respect for life in all it’s forms.
David Shayt, Associate Curator, Smithsonian Institution
As a social commentary, “Dark Water Rising” is illuminating and important in equal measure. As a film, it’s one of the most fascinating of the year. It’s a presentation of the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth…and will prove to be an illuminating experience, serving as both a cultural artifact and an exemplary piece of cinema.
Aaron Ensweiler, U-WIRE > read full review
Sometimes, a film is so compelling it’s difficult to find the words that describe it. Such is the case with the superb but chilling “Dark Water Rising.” This is a movie about courage. It could renew your faith in the human — and animal — spirit.
Linda Cook, Reporter, Quad City Times, Davenport, IA > read full review
I’ve been wading through Spike Lee’s four-hour Katrina documentary, for the last several nights, so I thought I’d seen everything there was to see. Shiley can hardly be accused of turning a blind eye to what went on down there.
Dean Robbins, Arts Editor, The Isthmus Weekly, Madison, WI > read full review
What could have been an advertisement for Katrina animal rescuers is instead a tough-minded and complex look at the relationship between humans and animals, and how it wasn’t only the people of the Gulf Coast who were let down by their government.
Rob Thomas, Film Critic, The Capital Times, Madison, WI > read full review
This is possibly one of the most honest portraits of New Orleans that will come out of the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. Spike Lee’s film is unlikely to be take such a candid view of life… nor to present such vivid portraits of American life
Pete, Small Fish online cultural and film blog, UK > read full review
It’s a way we can testify that the lives of our animals are entwined with our own -- and that those lives matter.
Debra Woods, Pet Reporter, The Oregonian, Portland, OR > read full review
A blunt and very effective instrument.
Mike Russell, The Oregonian, A&E Weekend Movie Review > read full review
...tough and straightforward.
Anne Marie DiStefano, Film Critic, The Portland Tribune > read full review
What could’ve been a sob-fest is instead an unflinching look at the determined characters who volunteered to search houses for surviving pets.
Becky Ohlsen, Film Critic, Willamette Week, Portland, OR > read full review
…they were in the right place at the right time, and their footage is fascinating.
Allison Hallett, Film Critic, The Portland Mercury, Portland, OR > read full review
It’s actually one of the most effective efforts I’ve seen at portraying the scope of the devastation in Louisiana, as well as a fascinating character study.
Scott Renshaw, Film Critic, Salt Lake City Weekly > read full review
“Dark Water Rising” does two things well: It points out Katrina’s toll on New Orleans and its animal population, and it celebrates the hard work of volunteers who pitched in when they were needed.
Sean P. Means, Film Critic, Salt Lake City Tribune > read full review
It’s such a compelling story that you can’t take your eyes off it. For animal lovers, it’s required viewing.
Jeff Vice, Film Critic, Deseret Morning News, Salt Lake City > read full review
In impromptu courtrooms of waterlogged walls and mold-covered furniture, they were judge and jury.
Denise Flaim, Reporter, Newsday, New York City > read full review