“Masked for Battle: Mardi Gras Indian Culture Confronts Covid” explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Mardi Gras Indians, also known as Black masking Indians. The Mardi Gras Indians are groups that parade on improvised routes through their neighborhoods each Mardi Gras, displaying elaborately designed costumes, also called suits, that are hand sewn with beads and feathers.
This is the third film in a series of documentaries directed by Mike Yearling (Yearling Pictures) and produced by students at Ohio State Newark that gives voice to participants in a time-honored Black parading tradition in New Orleans. Yearling, faculty and students produced “Spirit Leads My Needle: The Big Chiefs of Carnival” in 2014 and “It’s Your Glory: The Queens of Carnival” in 2016, which was nominated for a 2016 regional Emmy.
Location: Reese Center Room 145
5:30 p.m.: "It's Your Glory: The Queens of Carnival" film screening
6 p.m.: Refreshments
6:30 p.m.: “Masked for Battle: Mardi Gras Indian Culture Confronts Covid” film premiere
7:30: Talkback with student and faculty producers
This film was funded by The Ohio State University at Newark, The Ohio State University Global Arts + Humanities Discovery Theme, The Ohio State Newark Division of Arts & Humanities, and the Engagement Scholarship Consortium.