Director Edward Buckles Jr. is taking a unique look at the lasting effects of Hurricane Katrina … looking at the disaster through the lens of children who were traumatized by it.

The film’s director and New Orleans native joined us on “TMZ Live” Friday and talked about the lingering trauma that is highlighted in the doc, “Katrina Babies.”

Edward says PTSD is a real thing with folks who are now in their 20’s and 30’s but were children when the vicious storm hit 17 years ago. He also sees a connection to the violence today among young people in New Orleans.

He has personal experience … Edward was just 13 when Katrina hit, and although he was able to make it out, some of his cousins did not.

Edward says the government’s poor response to the hurricane has also had a lasting impact … creating cynicism and anger among young people.