After seeing Black Panther, that’s all I want to talk about
In honour of Black History Month, I was going to write this editorial about black artists through history who used their work to document the African American experience. But with all the hype it’s getting and after seeing it on the big screen, there is no way I could write about anything other than Black Panther.
It was one of the most anticipated movies of 2018. Starring a majority black cast of talented actors, directed by Ryan Coogler, and featuring a soundtrack produced by Kendrick Lamar, the film acts as an important victory for diverse filmmaking and representation. But, with that comes a lot of high expectations. So, is it any good? Well, I’ve seen it three times, so you can trust me when I say it’s pretty damn good.And, the box office numbers agree with me. There’s no better time for a groundbreaking movie like this to come out than during Black History Month. With the world the way it is, a trip to Wakanda is a much-needed vacation.
For those not in the know, Wakanda is the fictional African country where Chadwick Boseman’s character, Prince T’Challa a.k.a. the Black Panther, rules. It’s also the afro-futuristic homeland of my dreams. A stylish, technologically-advanced metropolis powered by vibranium, an alien metal. It is a beautiful, egalitarian society where women wear their natural hair, can be powerful elite warriors (Dora Milaje) and oversee/develop technological advancements (Princess Shuri). In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Wakanda was never colonized and keeps its abundant resources secret from the rest of the world. This lets our imaginations run wild with possibilities by inviting us to ask ourselves: is this what Africa could have looked like?
Black Panther star Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia) appeared on The View, stating that for her, Wakanda represents “what would have been possible had Africa been allowed to realise itself for itself. And it’s beautiful.” But it’s not just the country that is beautiful; it’s the people, the tribes, and the clothes. All of which were drawn from real-world African cultures. In the New York Times, costume designer Ruth E. Carter describes the various cultures that inspired her during the making of the film.
[media-credit name=”Photo courtesy of The Geek Twins” align=”aligncenter” width=”1020″]
The headgear worn by Angela Bassett’s character, Queen Ramonda, was based on “a traditional Zulu married woman’s hat.” The intricate beading seen on the front of the Dora Milaje suit is “in the same tradition that you see throughout Africa — the Turkana, the Maasai.” Finally, both the Dora Milaje Warriors and the Black Panther’s costumes feature triangular patterns that, in the words of Carter, reflect “the sacred geometry of Africa.”
Yes, the film is beautiful. I could go on and on about it. But, beyond that there are deeply political themes of colonialism, racism, and isolationism running throughout. However, it’s the relationship between Africans and African Americans that drives the film. This is best exemplified by the movie’s villain, Erik Killmonger, played by Michael B. Jordan.Killmonger’s father was a Wakandan. He was also a black radical living in Oakland (where the Black Panther Party was formed in 1966) who betrayed his country in the hopes of mobilizing African Americans with vibranium. Scarred by the death of his father, and feeling abandoned by his father’s country, Killmonger wants to start a revolution by arming black people around the world with Wakanda’s weapons. To do that, he needs T’Challa’s crown. He is vengeful, he is angry, and yet… I find him incredibly sympathetic. Not just because I have a major crush on Michael B. Jordan, but because Killmonger’s motivations are personal and historical.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Coogler describes the conflict between the Black Panther and Killmonger saying, “T’Challa represents… an African that hasn’t been affected by colonization […]. So what we wanted to do was contrast that with a reflection of the diaspora. But the diaspora that’s the most affected by it. And what you get with that is you get African Americans. You get the African that’s not only a product of colonization, but also a product of the worst form of colonization, which is slavery.”
Both of the characters’ upbringings are very different. This makes Killmonger the best foil for Wakanda’s king.He’s a villain that forces the hero to rethink his position. Why should present day Wakanda stay isolated and hide its resources? Though it does not need to be violent, think of all the good Wakanda’s resources could do around the world.
Forgive me if this editorial is all over the place. It’s just such a rare experience to see African standards of beauty proudly celebrated on the big screen. In this movie, black characters are the heroes, villains, kings, queens, spies, warriors, and more. That’s amazing.
[trx_infobox style=”regular” closeable=”no” icon=”icon-heart” color=”#FFFFFF” bg_color=”#000000″ top=”inherit” bottom=”inherit” left=”inherit” right=”inherit”]BLACK PANTHER TRIVIA
1. Black Panther was the first black superhero.
2. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced Black Panther in July 1966, three months before the founding of the Black Panther Party in October 1966.
3. On screen, the native language of Wakanda is isiXhosa. One of 11 languages spoken in South Africa. In the comics, the Wakandan languages are Wakandan (fictional) and Yoruba (a Nigerian dialect).
4. The movie grossed $400 million in 10 days of release. Behind only Jurassic Park ($404 million) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($540 million).
[/trx_infobox]Illustration by Frances Esenwa/The Ontarion