A new documentary film centering around the Black Masking Indian traditions of New Orleans is set to release and has already screened a couple of times this month.
Beulah Productions in association with No UmBow Films will again present the film, New Orleans Downtown Injun Culture on November 29 on the Entergy Giant Screen (1 Canal Pl.). Described as bringing forth “thought-provoking questions” while challenging “mainstream ideologies” and acknowledging the “tremendous contributions of the Black Masking Culture to the City of New Orleans and beyond,” the documentary examines the distinctive Mardi Gras Indian community of New Orleans and their invaluable role in protecting, preserving and promoting the culture of this city.
“To not have us is like gumbo without the seasoning,” says Big Chief Darryl Montana of the Yellow Pocahontas Black Masking Downtown Injun Tribe, one of many community members featured in the film.
“For far too long has the culture of the Masking Injuns been told from the lens of the mass media. Oral traditions of the Masking Culture have been passed down from Big Chief to Big Chief, generation after generation through the oral communication and dedication of the elder chiefs and tribal members. It’s their Royal Legacy and Heritage,” says a press release.
November 29’s film screening will also include a red carpet event and signals the official premiere of the documentary. Together with Beulah Productions, Audubon Institute, New Orleans Film Council, Data News Weekly and the New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network will produce the event, which is free and open to the public.
The red carpet opens at 7 p.m., with the screening set for 9 p.m. For more information, click here.