Reviews
“It’s a movie of jazz funerals, second lines, roof dancing and swamp dwelling; of shootings and costumes and death, but ultimately of life and the living. In a nutshell, Dreams occupies a dreamlike space that encapsulates a world henceforth not known well to outsiders.”
– Alex DeVore, Santa Fe Reporter
“New Orleanians know the relation of the parades to jazz funerals. There’s hardly a documentary about New Orleans music and culture that doesn’t include images of second lines, but few films dig into their history and meaning like Jason Berry’s City of a Million Dreams. With its onscreen narrators, clarinetist Dr. Michael White and the late Deb “Big Red” Cotton, even fewer are as well positioned to discuss the relationship of loss, relief and joy.”
– Will Coviello, Gambit Weekly
“Tragedy and comedy, life and death: these are the poles between which the events and people in this film move, with the good and the bad often inseparable.. For anyone who loves the place, this film will enhance your understanding. For anyone curious about New Orleans, it’s a fantastic place to start.”
– Malcolm Jones, The Daily Beast
“Yes, funerals — as in the famous joint expressions of mourning and celebration that feature “second line” dance marches to mark the joy of a soul’s ascent into heaven. As director Berry shows, those ceremonies have extraordinarily complex roots and meanings. What his documentary does, lovingly and in mesmerizingly watchable fashion, is explore the African American culture from which jazz funerals evolved — and how the funerals epitomize the soul and resilience of the Crescent City perpetually endangered by storms, floods, fires, coastal erosion, and diseases such as Yellow Fever.”
– Quin Hillyer, The Washington Examiner
In the News
‘City of a Million Dreams’ looks at New Orleans through lens of jazz funerals
They are ‘a life force of this culture in this city,’ says writer and filmmaker Jason Berry, who comes to [...]
FILMUSIC: CITY OF A MILLION DREAMS
FILMUSIC: CITY OF A MILLION DREAMS Followed by a talk with director Jason Berry! USA | 2021 | 90 minutes | Not [...]
Jazz funeral documentary ‘City of a Million Dreams’ to screen at Metairie Library
Jazz funeral documentary 'City of a Million Dreams' to screen at Metairie Library May 15, 2023 Chris Smith Nola.com Jason [...]
City of a Million Dreams: A Cinematic Love Letter to New Orleans Second Line Culture
City of a Million Dreams: A Cinematic Love Letter to New Orleans Second Line Culture May 2, 2023 By Christopher [...]
Francis ‘light years ahead’ of other popes in tackling abuse scandal, says pioneering journalist
Francis ‘light years ahead’ of other popes in tackling abuse scandal, says pioneering journalist The Irish Times By Patsy McGarry [...]
Railyard Films and 100 Men Hall present City of a Million Dreams Dinner/Movie/Concert
Railyard Films and 100 Men Hall present "City of a Million Dreams" Dinner/Movie/Concert By Southland Music Line January 16, 2023 [...]
Jason Berry’s ‘City of a Million Dreams’ documentary illuminates New Orleans jazz funerals
Jason Berry's 'City of a Million Dreams' documentary illuminates New Orleans jazz funerals The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate [...]
‘City Of A Million Dreams’ To Receive Special Event Screenings In Santa Fe & Albuquerque
Acclaimed Filmmaker’s Documentary Tribute To New Orleans Jazz Funerals, ‘City Of A Million Dreams’ To Receive Special Event Screenings In [...]
Jason Berry’s ‘City of a Million Dreams,’ exploring history of second lines, opens at Broad Theater
Jason Berry's 'City of a Million Dreams,' exploring history of second lines, opens at Broad Theater Gambit Weekly By Will [...]
The Saints Go Marching In
The Saints Go Marching In Santa Fe New Mexican By Michael Abatemarco, Staff Writer Passionate about his native city, New [...]
Jazz Journalists Association honor mother-daughter culture bearers in New Orleans
Jazz Journalists Association honor mother-daughter culture bearers in New Orleans OffBeat Magazine Two New Orleanians will be honored with Jazz [...]
New film offers a portrait of New Orleans, told through its unique jazz funerals
New film offers a portrait of New Orleans, told through its unique jazz funerals The Washington Post Religion By Mark Silk | Religion [...]
‘City Of A Million Dreams’ Fulfills 25-Year Documentary Quest For Jason Berry
'City Of A Million Dreams’ Fulfills 25-Year Documentary Quest For Jason Berry "The metaphor slowly came to me that the [...]
The Jazz Journalists Association congratulates member Jason Berry on City of a Million Dreams
Congratulations to JJA member Jason Berry on his well-received NOLA documentary, “City of A Million Dreams.” Shares Berry, “Until November 21st, you [...]
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This Weekend, Old Lyme Church Invites Community to Three-Part ‘Rhythm of the Saints’ Event; a COVID Memorial Service, Movie Screening, Sacred Jazz Worship Service GalleryThis Weekend, Old Lyme Church Invites Community to Three-Part ‘Rhythm of the Saints’ Event; a COVID Memorial Service, Movie Screening, Sacred Jazz Worship Service
This Weekend, Old Lyme Church Invites Community to Three-Part ‘Rhythm of the Saints’ Event; a COVID Memorial Service, Movie Screening, Sacred Jazz Worship Service
This Weekend, Old Lyme Church Invites Community to Three-Part ‘Rhythm of the Saints’ Event; a COVID Memorial Service, Movie Screening, [...]
‘City of a Million Dreams’ Chronicles the Dangers and Mystic Pleasures of Living on the Threshold
‘City of a Million Dreams’ Chronicles the Dangers and Mystic Pleasures of Living on the Threshold "The other moment that [...]
Louisiana Considered: Filmmaker Jason Berry looks at jazz funerals in his “City of a Million Dreams”
Louisiana Considered: Filmmaker Jason Berry looks at jazz funerals in his "City of a Million Dreams" Diane Mack hosted Tuesday's episode [...]
Hear from Co-Producers Tim Watson and Simonette Berry on Crosstown Conversations with Jeanne Nathan
Hear from Co-Producers Tim Watson and Simonette Berry on Crosstown Conversations with Jeanne Nathan New Orleans journalist, author and documentarian [...]
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