Watch Cooked: Survival by Zip Code

Cooked: Survival by Zip Code is a 2019 documentary that takes an in-depth look at the effects of natural disasters on vulnerable communities. Directed by Judith Helfand, the film explores the devastation wrought by the 1995 Chicago heat wave, which killed over 700 people, most of them poor and elderly, and focuses on the systemic and institutional issues that worsened the disaster.

The documentary makes use of interviews with survivors, experts, and community members, as well as archival footage to illustrate the magnitude of the tragedy. The film interweaves these testimonies with scientific data and analysis, highlighting the racial, economic, and social justice issues that led to the unequal distribution of resources and medical attention during the crisis.

The film also features former Mayor Richard M. Daley, who speaks candidly about the city's shortcomings in dealing with the heat wave, and Michelle Landis Dauber, a Stanford Law professor who connects the Chicago tragedy with other natural disasters that have disproportionately affected disadvantaged populations.

Through the stories of those who lived through the heat wave, Cooked: Survival by Zip Code challenges viewers to rethink their assumptions about disaster preparedness and response. The documentary highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach that takes into account the underlying social factors that contribute to vulnerability, such as poverty, racism, and inequality.

Valerie Brown, a Chicago resident who lost her elderly mother to the heat, also features prominently in the film. Brown shares her personal experience with viewers, recounting the difficulty of finding timely medical attention for her mother, who lived alone in a low-income neighborhood. Brown's story underscores the urgent need for systemic change in disaster response policies, and appeals to viewers to take action in their own communities.

Cooked: Survival by Zip Code is a powerful documentary that sheds light on an often ignored but crucially important subject. It not only highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and natural disasters but emphasizes the importance of social justice in helping vulnerable communities survive and thrive. Through compelling interviews, detailed research, and heart-wrenching personal stories, the film shows that the effects of disasters are not equal, and challenges viewers to take action to create a more just and equitable world.

Overall, Cooked: Survival by Zip Code is a thought-provoking and engaging documentary that offers important lessons for policymakers, community members, and individuals alike. Through its nuanced and layered approach, the film provides a comprehensive and urgent call to action, showing that disaster preparedness and response are not just technical issues but deeply political and ethical ones as well.

Cooked: Survival by Zip Code is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.