I moved back to the New Orleans area last July. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year already, but the phrase “time flies” doesn’t even begin to describe life over the past year. For my introductory post, I tossed around a few ideas, and came to the conclusion that I should begin at the beginning.
Home.
I lived in Baton Rouge for 10 years. It wasn’t quite as eclectic as New Orleans, but it grew on me. Post-K, my family moved up to Baton Rouge…and then they moved back home a year or so later. I grew really close to my family in that year and they tried to talk me into moving back, but I felt established and independent in my little city. Eventually, my now-husband came along and set me straight! We bought a house in Metairie last year and I fell in love with New Orleans and its surroundings. It was a different kind of love than when I was a kid at a mere 18 years old. I find myself appreciating the rich history and culture that draws in people from all over the world.
Matt Faust. We went to high school together. He was two years ahead of me, and I can’t recall even sharing more than 2 words with him while in high school. Our paths crossed again, though, in my college and post-college years. He spent the year after Katrina creating a short film about his life at home. I was at a friend’s house a few years ago and Matt was telling us about this film that he had finally finished. He grabbed a copy out of his car, popped it in the DVD player and by the end of the five minute (approx) film, I was crying.
A little over a year ago, I picked up the Times Picayune (which I unfortunately only do on rare occasions), and just happened to see Matt’s picture in the paper…with Robert Deniro. Matt had won Best Documentary Short at the Tribeca Film Festival for the short film, now called “home.”
About a month ago, I thought about that night that I saw the clip. I found Matt’s website and immediately purchased “home.” The film shows loss- something most of us can relate to in one way or another. It also speaks to childhood. The film makes me truly appreciate my home for what it was, what it has become, and what it’s destined to be. And that, in some way, makes me happy.
I highly recommend picking up a copy. You can view the trailer of “home” or purchase a copy at www.mattfaust.net.
CheekyCherry
