A Place Called Desire

the forgotten community

  • VIEW FILM HERE!
    • THANK YOU
  • Awards and Film Festivals
    • Louisiana Heritage Media Award
    • 8th Annual African American Film Series
    • Black Film Festival of New Orleans
  • Articles and Reviews
    • Interviews
      • WYES-PBS
      • The African American Film Series
      • Private Screening
      • WWLTV Interview
      • NPR Interview
      • Film Outtakes
      • The STORY Behind The STANDOFF
      • The 504
  • Memories of Desire
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    • The Christmas Fruitcake
    • Summer Fun: An Essay for “A Place Called Desire”
    • Friday Night Feast
    • Memories of Desire – The Record Truck
    • The Ladies’ Tammany Social & Aid Club
    • DESIRE PROUD – DESIRE STRONG
    • BEG, BORROW, BUT DON’T STEAL!
    • Food for Thought
  • About
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    • LS3 Studios, LLC
    • Contact Us

LS3 Studios Presents

A PLACE CALLED DESIRE

THE FILM

A Place Called Desire is a documentary feature film telling the powerful story of an often forgotten community, in the upper 9th Ward in New Orleans. It has been in the making for 12 years, offers many 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 shares hard truths with a gentle touch. ~ Dr. Al Kennedy

TO VIEW THE FILM CLICK HERE!

finalist best documentary San Diego Black Film Festival 2020
Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation

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.

“Nobody can dim the light which shines from within” as penned by Maya Angelou, is the perfect metaphor for Desire.

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.

Leonard Smith III is a documentarian. Since 1975, he has been involved in every aspect of historical research from genealogy, photography, technology, storytelling, film-making, and music. Leonard’s company, LS3 Studios, has produced award-winning documentaries of musicians, institutions, and family histories. His most recent project, “A Place Called Desire” Won an Award of Recognition Documentary Feature The Impact DOCS Awards, was a finalist for Best Documentary in the San Diego Black Film Festival. It won a Silver Telly Award and a Gold Digital AVA Award. Winner of Best Documentary film and Winner of the Jury Audience Award in the Black Film Festival of New Orleans. It was a Semifinalist in the Rootstech 1st Film Fest. Nominated for the 2020 LEH Humanities Documentary Film of the Year. Official Selection San Francisco Black Film Festival. Winner of Louisiana Heritage Media Award. A Place Called Desire is the story of the community Leonard grew up in the 60s and 70s in New Orleans. He has a deep and abiding love to “educate, entertain, and inspire others to tell their story."

Film Chapters

Opener

1940s - 1950s - A Better Life

1960s - 1970s - It Takes a Village to Raise a Child

1980s - 1990s - The Struggle Is Real

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

2000s - "The New Desire"

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