Big Chief Demond Melancon
The New Yorker Documentary

Film by Michal Pietrzyk, Text by Natalie Meade, The New Yorker , February 2, 2022

The Undersung Histories of Mardi Gras’s Black Indians

 
In the film “All on a Mardi Gras Day,” Michal Pietrzyk documents the tradition of a community of New Orleans artisans.

 

The New Yorker article by Natalie Meade examines All on a Mardi Gras Day, directed by Michal Pietrzyk, which documents the life and practice of Demond Melancon. The film lingers on the repetitive, meditative act of beading as Melancon constructs his elaborate suit, presenting Black Masking not merely as Carnival spectacle but as a deeply spiritual and historical ritual rooted in Afro-Indigenous solidarity.

 

Through interviews and poetic imagery, the documentary situates the tradition within underrecognized histories of resistance while also confronting present-day challenges, including addiction recovery and neighborhood displacement. Melancon describes the transformative power of masking and the responsibility of leadership, ultimately embodying both cultural guardian and performer.

 

On Mardi Gras morning, as he declares “I’m Big Chief! Can’t lose!” the film affirms the endurance of a community whose artistry bridges memory, devotion, and public celebration.