A King Like Me (2025)
The Zulu parade is synonymous with Mardi Gras and New Orleans. Director Matthew O. Henderson's absolutely wonderful documentary about the Zulu organization isn't light fluff. Sure, in parts, A King Like Me is fun and joyous, but it goes much deeper as it examines Black men making their way through life in the city of New Orleans.
Besides working with
archival footage, the film uses extensive interviews collected through recent
years that include past Zulu kings George V. Rainey, Larry A. Hammond, Jay
Banks, and Brian Sims, as well as Zulu members Terrence Rice, Oliver Reed III,
and Rodney Mason Jr.
The documentary covers
the inception of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club in 1909, how Zulu's
return after hurricane Katrina was a healing experience for the city, and also
the devastating toll the organization took from COVID-19. There is also debate over the use of blackface
on the African American float riders. In the early 1900s, it was a rule that
every Carnival organization member had to wear a mask during Mardi Gras, but,
at that time, Black men could not legally wear masks, so they used makeup
instead and that became the Zulu tradition. Some feel like the use of blackface
is mocking racism or even see it as a connection to African roots, while others
say that it should be done away with because it's a reminder of the horrible
racist minstrel shows of the past.
A King Like Me is
not all heavy. We do get amusing bits about the iconic Zulu throw: the
hand-painted coconuts. There is also lots of good-natured humor involved in the
voting process for the new Zulu king.
This passionate look at
the heart of New Orleans is essential viewing, and it is one of the year's best
films. A King Like Me is now streaming on Netflix.
