I hate forced diverse casts in films. It gets even more annoying when you introduce two or three black characters as the white protagonist’s sidekicks. It is believed that movies usually portray the reality, but what if we’ve been depicting it the wrong way? Who says black people can’t be under the spotlight as well? Who claims the fact that you’re instantly more successful if you are white? I’ve only started asking myself these questions when I noticed the increasing diversity in all sorts of movies. Even biracial couples have become a trend. Although I find the idea of mixed families adorable, the clichéd chemistry between black and white characters is rarely convincing. Neither friendships nor love stories unfold naturally. Everything seems to be insincere, you end questioning the authenticity of even the smallest details. Perhaps this is the very reason I fist-bumped the air when Marvel Studios announced the release of the movie “Black Panther” in 2018. A film rooted in black culture? A black cast? What was that? The director Ryan Coogler is also black? I perfectly recall my initial reaction to the news: “In your face, Hollywood.” I knew straight away that the movie would be genuine. And boy, was I right.
Those who are familiar with the Marvel Universe know that Black Panther first appeared in “Captain America: Civil War” (2016). The hero, also known by his real name, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), is seen grieving the death of his father, T’Chaka, and then the audience witnesses the character’s revelation that he’s the next successor to the Wakandan throne (Wakanda being a fictional African country). Something about his determination and striking vibranium suit made me realize that T’Challa would have an intriguing story to share.
The movie “Black Panther” starts off with a spellbinding animated recollection of events that formed the glorious world of Wakanda. Five African tribes fight over a meteorite containing the well-known alien metal called vibranium. One warrior eats herb affected by this certain metal and becomes the first Black Panther with superhero powers. As expected, he unites all the tribes except one and they slowly create possibly one of the most exquisite countries on planet Earth. Unlike Adrian Toomes from “Spider-Man: Homecoming”, who uses the Chitauri technology for dangerous purposes, the Wakandan people wisely create an effective advanced technology with the help of vibranium. Their nation goes through a long-term phase of prosperity, but the locals end up isolating themselves from the rest of the world, claiming that Wakanda is nothing more than a third-world country. The background story is simple, yet motivating.
I don’t know how others felt, but as soon as T’Challa came to grips and returned back to his home, I could barely wait to discover the kingdom. It goes without saying that all Marvel movies feature special elements, but I have to admit that I was particularly awe-struck by the gleaming tall buildings and the stunning use of vibranium in Wakanda.
This whole fascination is also due to my love for futuristic worlds, generally mesmerizing locations. What needs to be mentioned, though, is that, despite the ultramodern world they live in, the locals still treasure their culture and traditions as they would have in the past. For example, the long-established coronation ceremony for T’Challa is just plain beautiful. If I were to use a more extravagant description, I suppose the true essence would be lost. Just accept the word “beautiful” and interpret it in any way you want. Or even better, just watch the movie and decide what your own vision is. For me, it is a mixture of vibrant colors and harmonious traditional music, all leading to an exhilarating challenge which is part of the ritual combat.
The first part of the story seems to be cropped out of a typical action movie. A black-market arms dealer, Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis), steals a Wakandan artifact from a museum. That’s when T’Challa steps in and shows off a lot of style alongside two other characters, Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Okoye (Danai Gurira). From this moment on, there’s just a combination of classy settings,
sarcastic comments – coming from no one other than Shuri (Letitia Wright), T’Challa’s sister,
funny re-enactments popping in at the right time (the “What are those?!” meme), “on fire” soundtracks (from Kendrick Lamar’s album “Black Panther”) and insanely satisfying car chases (if you could describe them like that).
What can I say? The plot may be predictable, but the kids love it, the adults love it, we all love a bit of action. Clap it out. But what makes the film truly stand out is the antagonist Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). The new change brought to the Wakandan throne draws the mysterious warrior into a tense conflict with T’Challa, a conflict that I suppose everyone has been waiting for throughout the movie.
In order to avoid talking about any spoilers, I’m only going to point out that Erik is not just a man driven by anger and thirsty for power. He’s on a heart-breaking journey of self-discovery. The question “Who are you?” could be seen as the subtext of the entire film (it is even the final line before the post-credits scene). While T’Challa knows who he is, Erik struggles with his identity, being born as an African-American and being pretty much disconnected from his ancestry and past. The internal conflict is much stronger than the overall external dispute depicted in the second half of the movie. At first you can only be annoyed at Erik’s attitude and desire to become a better king, but once you get a glimpse of his troubled life, you start to feel sorry for him. Even his bloodthirsty vision, as controversial as it may be, highlights a rightful sense of justice, especially if it’s viewed from an appropriate perspective. Marvel clearly wants to add a humane side to each bad character they create, and that’s completely fine for me. Villains should no longer be seen as “just bad”. They are still human beings who have the right to speak up their mind. However, Erik Killmonger is a more special case. He is the voice of reason for all the black people who have encountered identity issues in time.
Without a doubt, T’Challa comes across trouble as well. With Erik’s arrival comes a new set of problems and revelations that change T’Challa’s perspective upon his father. Even though the king knows what he’s truly capable of, he’s occasionally captured in moments of uncertainty. Unlike Erik however, he manages to overcome the obstacles. He doesn’t let his family’s past define him as a person and towards the end of the movie, he starts planning a brighter future for both Wakanda and other nations. In contrast, Erik seems to be stuck in the same loop of tormenting thoughts, despite the power he showcases. Some say that T’Challa and Erik are mirror images. I can only agree with this to a certain extent. I would actually prefer to know that they form an unusual antithesis. Not entirely. But the differences still exist. And this opposition also has the ability to emphasize the fact that the most difficult, but intriguing conflicts will always be with your inner self.
One final question would have to relate to the Black Panther’s power. What makes him so special? Is the suit the source of awesomeness we see on the big screen? Sorry to break it to you, but in case you’ve missed it, the true unique power lies in T’Challa’s own soul. I suppose this is what makes the movie even more enjoyable. I guess this is one of the many reasons it has become a defining moment for black people. But I’ll let them share more touching standpoints.
If you don’t live in a country with a diverse population, don’t fret. You can observe the joy on the internet. Do as I did: read positive posts and comments, let Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “All The Stars” bring a warm fuzzy feeling inside you and embrace the new hopes and dreams that have been born. This is not a story about black pain and poverty. Wakanda is a place of freedom, success and kindness. No b(l)acklash should occur because “Black Panther” has just started a new era of #BlackExcellence. And I’ll be here as a cheering witness.
Comments
Post a Comment