2 films about New Orleans to debut at South by Southwest
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"A King Like Me" is a documentary about the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club. Image: Courtesy of Broad and Orleans Productions.
Two New Orleans-made films have their world premiere this weekend at South by Southwest in Austin.
Why it matters: The prestigious SXSW Film & TV Festival draws creatives from around the globe and is considered a launchpad for people in the film industry.
The big picture: "A King Like Me" is a documentary about the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club.
- It examines the impact COVID had on the krewe — 16 deaths — and dives into how Black culture has shaped New Orleans and the nation, according to the film's description. Matthew O. Henderson is the director.
"Roleplay" is about sexual politics at Tulane University and how sexual violence shapes students on their paths to adulthood.
- The documentary started as student-driven play in 2019, co-producer Jenny Mercein tells Axios.
- She's heading to Austin with the production this week in hopes of getting the film picked up by a distributor.
Two more films debuting at the festival have New Orleans ties, she says, through their producers or filmmakers:
- Gasoline Rainbow: Five teenagers from small-town Oregon decide to embark on one last adventure — a trip to the Pacific coast.
- The In Between: Following the death of her brother, filmmaker Robie Flores returns to her hometown on the Texas/Mexico border in this coming-of-age film.
State of Play: SXSW starts Friday and describes itself as celebrating "the convergence of technology, film, television and music."
- Meghan, the duchess of Sussex, is one of the keynote speakers.
Go deeper:
- Follow Axios Austin for more SXSW coverage.
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