The Whole Gritty City

The Whole Gritty City is a unique, fascinating window into the little-known world of New Orleans school marching bands. This dramatic, music-filled documentary follows kids in three bands as the directors get them ready to perform in the Mardi Gras parades, and teach them to succeed and to survive. Navigating the urban minefield through moments of setback, loss, discovery, and triumph, these children and their adult leaders reveal the power and resilience of a culture. A 2016 ALA Notable Video, it was broadcast nationally as a CBS News Special hosted by Wynton Marsalis. Available on Amazon, Vimeo, DVD and Kweli TV.

A film by Richard Barber and Andre Lambertson

Producer, director and editor: Richard Barber

Co-director and director of photography: Andre Lambertson

Sign up for The Whole Gritty City mailing list

For public screenings please contact the filmmakers at info@thewholegrittycity.com

See The Whole Gritty City’s Kickstarter backers here and here.

Buy Or Rent

Vimeo on Demand

Bonus features and optional French subtitles

Amazon Prime, Instant or DVD

(or scroll down to buy DVD for $7)

For Colleges and Universities

Streaming and DVD with Public Performance Rights

Subscription streaming network for Black Voices

Free Discussion Guide

Click to download link

Buy DVD through PayPal. Option 3 must pre-approve: info@thewholegrittycity.com

Watch the Trailer

Praise for The Whole Gritty City

A documentary in the Fred Wiseman mold…sensitive, intelligent and inspirational.

— David Bianculli, “Fresh Air”, NPR

At once heartbreaking and hopeful.

— Robert Lloyd, LA Times

An inspiring and moving documentary with great people who have amazing stories to tell. Be prepared to be shattered by some of them.

— Common Sense Media

Should be required viewing for any music educator in training.

— Educational Media Reviews Online

A musical celebration of New Orleans and its people, showing us that music is life, and where there is music, there is hope. Highly recommended.

— Booklist

We emerge from this film, moved, shaken, mobilized.

— Africultures

A hymn to music, joy and hope.

— Untitled Magazine

It’s a testament to the skill of filmmakers Richard Barber and Andre Lambertson — but even more so to the poignant soulfulness of the children featured — that the kids outperform even the famously charismatic adult band directors.

— The Hechinger Report

The Whole Gritty City understands what ultimately powers New Orleans.

— David Simon ("The Wire", "Treme")