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New Orleans is an excellent spot that visitors flock to for the music scene, the food, the traditions, and, of course, a ghost story or two. It’s a place full of history, community, and culture. A King Like Me explores a fraction of that history and culture through one of its prominent communities, the Zulu Krewe; a community that, amidst tragedy, is full of joy and laughter, finding the good when they can.

A King Like Me had its world premiere at the Zach Theatre at SXSW this year. The takeaway: During the bad times, find a way to let the good times roll.

Directed by Matthew O. Henderson, A King Like Me follows the Zulu Krewe through joy and loss from Hurricane Katrina, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the aftermath of both. The documentary dives into the fascinating origins of the Zulu Club, highlighting how Black people and Black culture have shaped New Orleans, taking the negatives and turning them into something positive.

One example is the Zulus wearing Black face as Black people. This has been a controversial technique used to take back and mock racism — like using the N-word. We can use it, but you can’t. Zulu traces its origins to 1909, when the original founders paraded as a marching club. Between 1912 and 1914, the group adopted an African theme for their costumes and became known as the Zulus. 

A King Like Me highlights the people: the way they speak, the way they commune, and the way they eat. This story is told honestly through the lens of the New Orleanians. The film does a great job of weaving history with the present. Learning that a group of Black men came together and created their own piece of the Mardi Gras during a time when the KKK was on the rise and holding their own during the release of Birth of a Nation exemplifies the strength and determination these men had to carve a place in this world. It’s a determination that lives on to this day.

The film does an incredible job highlighting this group and showing why the community respects and appreciates them so much. The Zulu Krewe is an astonishing group. They come together as part of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club. They aren’t just performers at Mardi Gras, with faces painted, throwing coconuts at the crowds; they are a Black men’s club that connects with each other and gives back to their community. When you’re in the club, your economic status is erased. You can find commonalities and relate to your brothers regardless of how much money you make or your job title. 

During Hurricane Katrina, the Zulu club didn’t know if it would reopen its doors again. The clubhouse was underwater. Damage was done inside and out. The men didn’t have a familiar place to go, but their allegiance to each other and their community helped them persevere. In the middle of a natural disaster, the Zulu club held their parade, bringing a little bit of joy during a very dark time.

The people of New Orleans have always found a way to find a space to enjoy themselves. A good example is the Jazz funerals held when someone dies. It’s a celebration of life and a way to share your grief with others. The potent combination of music and Black communities coming together makes things a little more digestible. 

The pandemic dealt a forceful blow through the Zulu Krewe. A group of over 800 men, almost all African American, lost sixteen members out of over seventy who contracted the COVID-19 virus. Louisiana had a horrific time with the pandemic, with New Orleans coming out with the worst of it. The impact the pandemic had on the Black community highlighted inequities in the healthcare system and for people of color. The communities that make New Orleans what it is are the communities that need the most help from our economic systems.

In the film, a man named Terrence Rice works to represent the Black experience. His powerful statement and emotions hit the story home. He talks about the American Dream and the struggles Blacks in America face. He talks about how hard it is not to see yourself in a negative way when every time you’re portrayed, it’s under a negative lens. He speaks about how we do all the right things, trying to be loved and accepted by people who will never love or accept us.

Terrence states that it’s a hard pill to swallow. “You go to school and do everything you’re supposed to do to get the American dream, and a mother f’er steps on you every day of your life. It’s hard when you’re trying to do everything right.”

But how do we get through it? A King Like Me gets it right: with community.

In this week’s episode of the Black Girl Nerds Podcast, we welcome TV host and author Tamron Hall.

Watch Where They Hide is the second installment in her crime fiction series that follows character Jordan Manning who readers were first introduced to in her 2021 acclaimed debut “As the Wicked Watch,” which became an instant crime fanatic’s favorite and bestseller! With more than 20+ years of journalism experience, including six seasons as the host of Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall series on ID, and years spent reporting on crime and tragedies across the country Tamron has a unique wealth of knowledge about the world of crime reporting and experienced firsthand the effects of violent crime as her own sister’s case remains unsolved. In addition to her daytime talk show, Tamron can currently be seen hosting Season 2 of the true-crime series Someone They Knew with Tamron Hall for CourtTV. Drawing from her experiences Tamron is in the perfect position to pen this page-turning thriller.

Host: Ryanne
Edited by: Jamie Broadnax
Music by: Sammus

If you’re interested in Tamron’s book check out:
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Kyle Hausmann-Stokes’ poignant dramedy My Dead Friend Zoe is a delicate piece of art about the mental health of our veterans.   Starring Sonequa Martin-Green as Merit, a vet recently reeling from the loss of her best friend Zoe (Natalie Morales). Merit is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and undergoes group counseling set up by veteran affairs (VA). The head counselor leading the group sessions Dr. Cole (Morgan Freeman) is frustrated that Merit refuses to open up about her past.  The only way she can relinquish any pain from the present is to unleash that history — which she refuses to do. 

When Dr. Cole refuses to sign her release form, this also further frustrates Merit who turns to her dead friend Zoe for consolation.  She sees Zoe appear everywhere with her, and the two share an exceptional relationship that is to the detriment of Merit’s own mental health and well being. And while Merit is dealing with her own mental wellness, her estranged grandfather Dale (Ed Harris) is suffering from cognitive dysfunction.  He was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and her overbearing mother Kris (Gloria Reuben) insists that he stay in a nursing home.

Merit’s life is further complicated when she meets a man by the name of Alex (Utkarsh Ambudkar). There’s an instant attraction between the two, but Zoe is still the third wheel in Merit’s life.

Zoe is a free-spirited girl with no scruples.  She’s funny, charismatic and a loyal friend to Merit.  The two served together in Afghanistan and the film does a great job in establishing how close these two were during their tour together.  The narrative is structured in segments of Merit’s past in the form of snippets of flashbacks. From there we move back to the present day dealing with her current dilemma of her father’s caregiving. As the story reverts back and forth from past to present, the tension slowly builds for the viewer as to what exactly happened to Zoe.

Merit refuses to uncover what happened to her and Zoe in Afghanistan, and as the story progresses and more time is spent between the two during their scenes overseas, you’re more engaged in Zoe’s fate and why Merit has carried so much guilt around it for so long.  And then there is the parallel story happening between Zoe and her grandfather — who is also a vet.  And because he is from a different time, for Dale, bottling up your feelings and keeping what happened during times of war in the past is exactly what a good soldier is supposed to do.  But for Merit it’s far more complicated than that.  Too complicated to even articulate to her grandfather what really happened. 

This film delivers some incredible performances most notably from Sonequa Martin-Green and Natalie Morales.  Martin-Green who carries a great deal of this movie is absolutely flawless in her scenes and when she gets emotional it is palpable.  When she cries on screen, you are crying right there along with her.  As for Morales she is on the opposite side of the emotional spectrum as her character Zoe adds a great deal of levity and humor to the film.  There’s also a beauty in the fact that this film features real veterans in starring roles that makes the film feel more genuine. 

And while this film deals with issues of mental illness it’s not ham fisted with its messaging around it.  The filmmaker handles the issue with care, grace and from a perspective that allows anyone to empathize with these characters. The core of this film is Zoe and Merit’s relationship and how they touched each other’s lives in such a significant way. There is a lesson to be learned about how we impact the life of another human being — and we see that in My Dead Friend Zoe.

While there are a number of producers on the roster behind this movie, which is not at all surprising for many films, what you may be surprised about is that Kansas City Chiefs NFL star Travis Kelce is an executive producer on the film and this is his first foray into Hollywood producing.  The other  executive producers on the film are: Ed Harris, Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales, Jeff Annison, David Baxter, Brandi Plants, Nancy Masterson, Joe Masterson and Igor Tsukerman.

The beautifully crafted family dynamics, the messaging about mental health and wellness and the impeccable performances are worth every bit of your time. 

The film is written by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes and AJ Bermudez.

My Dead Friend Zoe premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film and TV Festival.

With the upcoming premiere of X-Men ’97 on Disney+, there’s an all-time high appreciation for the Marvel mutants in their ’90s heyday. As much as we may love (some) of the live-action films, no media outside of comics has captured what people love about the students of Charles Xavier’s School more than X-Men: The Animated Series. Now, you can display your love for the ’90s era X-Men’s ultimate love triangle heroes, Wolverine, Cyclops, and Jean Grey, with a new series of figures from the folks at YouTooz. You can check out images and details for each one right here:

Cyclops (X-Men #1)

The first figure is of Scott Summers, a.k.a. Cyclops. The X-Men’s field leader, whose deadly optic blast can shatter a mountain. This figure captures Cyke in his Jim Lee-designed costume, featured prominently on the cover of 1991’s X-Men #1. Of course, it became world famous when X-Men: The Animated Series used it. This Limited Edition X-Men #1 Cyclops will set you back $39.99.

Jean Grey (Uncanny X-Men #281)

Where there is a Scott Summers, so too must there be a Jean Grey. The mutant with psychic abilities arrives wearing her signature ’90s look, as it appeared on the cover of Uncanny X-Men #281. This was the era when Jean joined the X-Men’s Gold Team, and Sentinels killed her (Don’t worry, she got better quickly again). No longer Marvel Girl or Phoenix, the Jean Grey of this era was the team’s most powerful member. This Limited Edition Jean Grey figure is also priced at $39.99.

Wolverine (Wolverine Omnibus Vol. 4)

Finally, it’s just not the X-Men without their most popular member, is it? This Wolverine figure is based on the cover of Wolverine Omnibus Volume 4. It shows Logan tearing through an alley with his adamantium claws. Like Cyclops and Jean Grey, he wears his signature ’90s costume. Also just like his teammates, the Wolverine YouTooz figure is $39.99.

To order these amazing X-Men YouTooz figures for yourself, head on over to their official site.

The post X-MEN YouTooz Figures Showcase Wolverine, Cyclops, and Jean Grey in ’90s Costumes appeared first on Nerdist.