In ‘Red Brick Blue Tarp,’ relationships are a force for recovery after St. Louis’ tornado

The short documentary film “Red Brick Blue Tarp” blends visual poetry and first-person interviews to explore the impact of the May 16, 2025 tornado. The storm tore a path of devastation through much of north St. Louis, an area marked by decades of disinvestment. Filmmaker Cami Thomas, producer and community organizer Jessica Wernli, and 314Oasis co-founder Stephanie Reynolds discuss how the tornado deepened their connections to the community. They also talk about how screenings of the film are contributing to the ongoing work of recovery, rebuilding and resilience.