#BlackPanther: More than just a pretty picture

Published Feb 16, 2018

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Representation in film has been something of a sore spot for many people of colour across the world. 

While the Marvel universe of comics has been rather diverse over the years, their current foray into producing the first black superhero, by black people, is something that has caused something akin to mass hysteria across the African diaspora. 

One of my main concerns when I heard of the film was that it would wander down the cringe-worthy path of ignorant but well-meaning black people who are interacting with the motherland again. 

The kind of ignorance that would require that we answer questions like: “Do we have lions roaming around in Rosebank? 

Thankfully, it was not an overload of this. 

The Black Panther tells the story of young king T’Challa, or the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) who takes over as leader of mysterious African state Wakanda, after his father T’Chaka (John Kani) is killed. 

Contrary to popular belief, Wakanda is a technologically advanced, modern haven that’s rich in the mineral vibranium, which puts them at risk of being exposed for the rest of the world to see. 

Lupita Nyong'o, left, and Letitia Wright in a scene from Marvel Studios' "Black Panther." (Matt Kennedy/Marvel Studios-Disney via AP)

Firstly, I loved everything about the sci-fi nature of Black Panther. From the smart watches that allow everyone to communicate with one another to the killer fight scenes that put together some well choreographed moves with special effects. 

The settings are also aesthetically beautiful shots of the African soil. 

My favourite scene involves the army of the W’Kabi’s tribe using their blankets to form a force field to protect them against their opponents’ blows. 

The cast is a combination of some of the finest black actors and actresses that the world has to offer. I enjoyed seeing Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker share scenes with Lupita Nyong’o and Chadwick Boseman – an intergenerational mix. I also loved seeing South Africans John Kani, Atandwa Kani and Connie Chiume in action in the film. 

 

I also enjoyed the powerful role that black women are given in the film. Okoye (Danai Gurira) is the general of the all-female army that protects the king and Wakanda. 

I do have one criticism that I could not overlook: language. So the language of the Wakandans features large fragments of Xhosa, but it has been made into another language. 

I mean, I am Sotho. Xhosa is arguably one of the hardest languages of our country for non-Xhosa speakers. Watching them attempt the clicks is endearing, but tiring. Could another African language not have been used? 

The film could not have come at a better time. And it does something incredibly important: it allows black artists the opportunity to be front and centre in the telling of stories about black people. I mean, sure, ultimately Marvel, Disney and the other giant conglomerates involved will get the props, but where it matters most – the director, the wardrobe, the soundtrack – there are black people. 

A scene from Marvel Studios' Black Panther. Picture: Marvel Studios-Disney via AP

And the script pulls no punches. Colonialism is put on blast, so is slavery, so is the condition of black Americans and other black people of the diaspora. Our issues are reflected in that film. 

The story’s villain, Erik Killmonger, is the villain because he wants to save black people around the world. This is an inversion of everything we have come to know about the abilities and position of black people. For the first time in like, forever, black is normal. Everything else, the other. 

Did I mention the soundtrack of the film is dope as hell? I mean imagine doing the vosho in your seat because the queen of gqom Babes Wodumo’s Wololo is playing in Shuri’s lab. Oh Maigot! 

All in all, Black Pather may be just a little over hyped, but who can blame the millions of black people around the world who can see a reflection of themselves on the big screen. And it’s a beautiful one at that. 

sego_says

IOL

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