One More River To Cross
A Summary
Logline: After the tragic flooding of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, the Gretna Police Department threatened the lives of thousands of residents trying to cross the Crescent City Connection bridge into the city of Gretna. One year later, in remembrance of that day, 70 year old Rosetta Harris is determined to cross the bridge in protest and takes action the only way she knows how: a march that recalls her proudest days fighting in the Civil Rights movement.
After Hurricane Katrina destroys their home in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Jesse and Rosetta Harris spend several frightening days in the attic and on the roof of their home awaiting rescue. They are eventually found by a rescue helicopter and taken to the Superdome for processing. Several days later, Jesse leads a group of fellow refugees to the Crescent City Connection bridge in an attempt to cross over to the higher ground and medical facilities of nearby Gretna. They are turned back by the Gretna police and forced to return to the chaos of the Superdome where Jesse, a diabetic, passes away during the night from lack of proper medical attention.
One year later, frustrated by the city’s response to the aftermath of Katrina and in protest of her husband’s tragic and unnecessary death, Rosetta Harris decides to stage a march across the Crescent City Connection bridge. Through a series of flashbacks, her life with Jesse and the major role they played in the national Civil Rights Movement unfold in detail. Shifting from the present day back to the 50s and 60s, parallels are drawn between the injustices of the past and the ongoing injustices of the present. A Forrest Gump overview of the Civil Rights movement highlights the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and shows how Jesse and Rosetta adopt his methods of dealing with adversity as they grow together as a couple.
In the present day, Rosetta endears herself to Florence Coleman, the daughter of old family friends, and she teaches Florence and her family that protest, as a way of instigating change, never goes out of style. By comparing yesterday and today, One More River To Cross tackles tough social issues of our era while serving up a generous portion of American history.
One of the first movies to deal with the issues of Hurricane Katrina and offer an overview of the Civil Rights Movement, One More River To Cross has won eight film festival awards for screenwriting including the Rising Star Award at the 2011 Canada International Film Festival, and has acting commitments from Academy Award winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. for the role of Jesse Harris, and Emmy Award winning actress Lynn Whitfield for the role of his wife Rosetta.