Press
What critics, broadcasters and neighbors are saying.
“Essential viewing for anyone interested in New Orleans’ cultural history and in Black struggle in the city and America. I can’t recommend this movie enough.”Antigravity Magazine
“There’s no understating its value when it comes to collecting previously untold stories, which together add a new, personal layer — one previously unknown and/or misunderstood by many New Orleanians — to the city’s 20th-century history.”NOLA.com, 2020 New Orleans Film Festival coverage
Articles & reviews
In print and online
- Antigravity MagazineA Place Called Desire (Louisiana feature)2020
“Essential viewing for anyone interested in New Orleans’ cultural history and in Black struggle in the city and America.”
- The GambitThe New Orleans Film Fest presents outdoor screenings2020
- NOLA.comSecond week of 2020 New Orleans Film Festival features documentary on ‘Place Called Desire’2020
“There’s no understating its value when it comes to collecting previously untold stories.”
- Desktop DocumentariesFilmmaker Who Lost Home During Katrina Shares His Documentary Journey
- The DrumIn ‘A Place Called Desire,’ Leonard Smith III captures New Orleans history
- NNPA · Louisiana Weekly · Dallas Weekly · Garland JournalAward-winning filmmaker, genealogist reveals intimate truth and personal histories of Upper 9th Ward Desire community
- What Not To DocNew Orleans 2020: Documentary OverviewNov 2020
- Acadiana LifestyleThe True Story of DesireJune 2020
- ABC12 · WJRT Flint8th annual African American Film Series returns to Flint2022
“One of the reasons I did this documentary is because I know that the people are still suffering to this day.” — Leonard Smith III
Broadcast & interviews
On air
Television, radio and online conversations with the filmmaker.
Discussing the film with Joe Caulo
Leonard Smith III on the voices, origins and evolution of the Desire neighborhood.
Watch or listen ↗WWL-TV · The 504A Place Called Desire on The 504
Leonard is interviewed by host Sheba Turk, October 2015.
Watch or listen ↗WWNO · NPRDesire, Louisiana — Tripod: New Orleans at 300
Laine Kaplan-Levenson takes a tour of Desire with Leonard Smith III and hears from Shannon Rainey, Adrian Woods and Daniel Perkins.
Watch or listen ↗BlogTalkRadio · Bernice BennettA Place Called Desire with Leonard Smith
Bernice Alexander Bennett talks with Leonard about chronicling the Desire community and the film's Kickstarter campaign, September 28, 2015. Now archived on her Ancestor's Footprints podcast.
Watch or listen ↗BlogTalkRadio · Bernice BennettTelling Family and Community Stories
Bernice Alexander Bennett and Leonard Smith III on telling family and community stories, and the journey of A Place Called Desire, March 31, 2020.
Watch or listen ↗WYES · Stepping OutStepping Out, November 13, 2020
WYES arts program segment on the film during the New Orleans Film Festival.
Watch or listen ↗Audience reactions
From the first trailer
“Leonard, your trailer was phenomenal! As trailers go, it is excellent, leaving the viewer definitely wanting more. I wish it was longer!”
“Very emotional to see this. Thank you for documenting and sharing the history of our community. A community that should not be forgotten.”
“Two thumbs up, Leonard Smith III. I am truly impressed. Thanks to you and your crew for sharing your God-given talents with us. Entertaining and informative.”
“What a great trailer! Looks like another LS3 winner is in the making.”
“Amazing. I can’t wait to see it. The trailer was great.”
“Beautiful job! I can’t wait to see more.”
Press kit
Covering the film?
Get the full press kit: synopsis, fact sheet, credits, awards, coverage and contacts, plus the poster and stills. Contact LS3 Studios for interviews, screeners and archival images.
Bring Desire to your community