The Order of Myths 2008
Distributed by Cinema Guild, 115 West 30th Street, Suite 800, New York, NY 10001; 212-685-6242
Producer n/a
Director n/a
DVD, color, 80 min.
Sr. High - Adult
African American Studies, American Studies, Political Science, Popular Culture
Date Entered: 09/30/2009
ALA Notable: ALA.gif
Reviewed by Jane Sloan, Rutgers University Libraries
The Order of Myths chronicles the period of the 2007 Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, where there have been two carnivals celebrated, one for whites, and one for blacks, since the 1930s. There are high costs and extensive rules for the festivities, devised by “mystic societies,” which begin in the Fall, coincide with the “debutante season” and New Year’s parties, then culminate in the traditional Ash Wednesday carnival. Mobile is also happens to be the site of the last reported lynching in the U.S. in 1981. The perspective of the many participants who are interviewed is one of warm pride in their prominent roles, and acceptance of their city’s traditions; while one of the debutantes offers a critical commentary, it acquires an unfortunately ungracious tone next to everyone else’s placid manners and good cheer. The film describes in lengthy detail the subculture’s obsession with monarchical trappings, avoiding the surrounding culture of Mobile, which remains obscure, except for a brief appearance by the city’s black mayor when he ‘abdicates in favor of the Mardi Gras [white] king.’ The film maker critiques without criticizing, but there is great sadness in her knowing view and reluctance to find people in Mobile who have a broader view. It allows the viewer to think of ‘those people over there’ as distinctly ‘not us,’ unless, of course, they are gifted to view in a classroom providing a context for the issues of race, class, gender, and particularly, mainstream human political behavior, that the film presents. Recommended for university and college collections.