In a cinematic universe where the superheroes are soaring through the skies and saving the day, there is one regal figure who does not just wear a cape but owns the crown- Black Panther. As we delve into the layers of this groundbreaking narrative, we find ourselves captivated by more than just the vibranium-infused suit; we also witness firsthand the transformative power of the film. Released in 2018, Black Panther, with its triumphant success, shattered not only the box office records where the sequel “Wakanda Forever” topped the box office with 330 million in global ticket sales during opening weekend and the first movie becoming the 14th highest-grossing movie of all time with 1.4 billion worldwide (CNET), but also long-standing racial stereotypes. This paper aims to unravel the layers of the cultural phenomenon, exploring how the film emerged as a beacon that transcended Wakanda’s borders and left an indelible mark on the global audience. From breaking records to breaking chains, black panther’s triumph lies in its revolutionary representation of race, challenging stereotypes, and fostering cultural pride.
Black Panther breaks away from conventional Hollywood portrayals of Africa and its people. For decades, Hollywood struggled with the representation of race, where it often marginalized actors of color or reduced their voices to stereotypical roles. Similarly, within the Marvel universe, characters from different backgrounds were historically underrepresented or presented through narrow lenses that failed to capture the richness of their stories. Black Panther, however, broke those conventions by offering a groundbreaking portrayal of an African superhero and its advanced nation, Wakanda. The film not only celebrated African culture but also challenged Hollywood’s historical lack of diversity by presenting a predominantly black cast with powerful and complex rules. The film featured a stellar cast of black actors, including Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B Jordan, and Danai Gurira, among others. These actors delivered powerful performances that elevated the material, bringing authenticity and emotional depth to their characters. The ensemble cast not only showcased the depth of black talent but also demonstrated that a film with a predominantly black cast could appeal to a global audience since the movie grossed over $1.3 billion, making it the highest-grossing American film in 2018.
Historically, in cinema, black males have been characterized as fat, vulgar, and sexually threatening (Miller 2). The characters were either full of bestiality like in The Birth of a Nation (Directed by David Griffith) or tired and weak like the black slave workers in Tarzan the Ape Man( Directed by W.S.Van Dyke). When given a good character, it was primarily a black comedy, like in Rush Hour. Undoubtedly, a superhero’s body image expression is essential to the Marvel industry’s visual system. The physical strength and charming line of figure highly contribute to the representation of a black hero, T’Challa, whose body aesthetic and combat bring satisfaction to the audience (Jianxi and Changsong 9). In the movie, white characters do not show magnetic body lines or attractive bodies; therefore, the black panther leads the aesthetic by presenting a subtle comparison to convince that black people’s bodies can be fascinating while also achieving a sense of dignity.
Along with this, Black Panther challenges not only racial stereotypes but also those related to power dynamics and gender. As one of the main colonial destinations for developed countries, Africa was invaded not only for land and economic resources but also for human resources. Untouched by colonization, Black Panther presents a fictional advanced and thriving nation -Wakanda- breaking away from a familiar narrative of Africa as undeveloped. Through the magic metal – Vibranium-, Wakanda develops advanced technology and chooses to keep it a secret from the rest of the world. Throughout the movie, Wakanda eliminates white supremacy by rejecting the role of white savior that is depicted through the critical two white characters of the C.I.A. agent, Everett K Ross, and the arms dealer Ulysses Klae, who came in the face of helping the nation but on a secret mission to steal the vibranium. It is also shown through the dialogue between the protagonist, T’Challa, and Nakia, a former member of the war dogs (Spies that operate under Wakanda’s intelligence), where she states,” I have seen too much death. I have seen too much suffering. I think it is time for the Black Panther to take care of it” which challenges the colonial narrative and positions of African nations as capable of addressing their challenges without external intervention.
Identically, the film introduces empowered black characters, offering a refreshing view from one-dimensional portrayals common in Hollywood. The success of Black Panther and his male warriors is primarily due to the solid female fighters known as the Dora Milaje (Blaikie et al. 3). Characters like Okoye, the fearless leader of the Dora Milaje, and Shuri, the brilliant and innovative princess break traditional gender stereotypes in both their roles and capabilities. Okoye is a fierce warrior with unparalleled combat skills and unwavering loyalty to her nation. Her character embodies strength, discipline, and a deep sense of duty. Also, having no hair is a part of the warrior’s tradition, so when outside, these female warriors wear wigs. However, rather than feminizing herself with a wig, Okoye chooses to become bald, further defying gender standards by appearing slightly androgynous. Furthermore, Shuri is a technological genius responsible for developing and maintaining the advanced vibranium-based technology that defines Wakanda. Typically, men portray intellectual giants and geniuses in Hollywood productions(Blaikie et al 4). Her character challenges stereotypes about women in S.T.E.M. fields and emphasizes that women can excel in a field traditionally dominated by men. The impact of Okoye and Shuri goes beyond their roles, inspiring audiences and contributing to a more inclusive and diverse representation of gender in mainstream cinema.
Additionally, Black Panther celebrates African culture by showcasing customs, attire, and languages with a level of detail and accuracy that is rarely seen in mainstream media and cinema. Ruth Carter, the costume designer of Black Panther, combined several African costume designs and integrated these elements into Black Panther’s suit. Also, one of the extraordinary characteristics of the costumes in black panther is the color diversity. The primary African colors are bright red, emerald green, indigo, and cyan (Jiaxi and Changsong 10). In black panther, the clothes of the river tribe are decorated with the patterns of fish and shells, which represents the river civilization. The mountain Mining tribe leader wears a headdress like a lion’s mane, which originated from the Kikuyu Tribe in Kenya. The king’s mother wears a white dress and a large circular tiara that is inspired by the headdress of the traditional South African tribe Zulu. Black Panther’s pursuit of regional cultural expression shown in costume empowers black audiences by influencing their sense of self-identity by offering an image that resonates with cultural dignity.
Nevertheless, Critics argue that Black Panther’s success is rooted in its association with Marvel and the superhero genre but is not a proper representation of blacks in cinema. While it is true that the movie was primarily advertised, attributing its success solely to this factor overlooks the film’s groundbreaking aspects, particularly its emphasis on race. Undoubtedly, the film’s triumph cannot be reduced to just its marvel affiliation. It is essential to recognize and appreciate the film’s representation of race from its predominantly black cast and its fresh perspective on African culture by portraying the fictional African nation of Wakanda as technologically advanced and self-sufficient, which departs from the typical Western-centric narratives within the superhero genre. It is also important to remember its powerful storytelling with well-developed characters and a beautiful narrative that touches upon important themes such as identity, heritage, and responsibility, resonating with a broad audience beyond just fans of superhero movies.
In Conclusion, Black Panther stands as a cinematic triumph that goes beyond the realms of a superhero movie and emerges as a celebration of black excellence through its theme of Afrofuturism. The fictional African nation, with its predominantly black cast and rich cultural portrayal, challenged longstanding norms within the industry, proving that diverse narratives can resonate universally. Its remarkable storytelling has the power to inspire, uplift, and foster positive change. As audiences around the world were captivated by the fictional world –Wakanda, this creates an invitation to appreciate and acknowledge the real-world importance of recognizing and celebrating black excellence in all its forms. Wakanda’s success goes beyond box office numbers; it symbolizes a shift towards a more equitable and diverse landscape in filmmaking.
Annotated Bibliography
BLAIKIE, FIONA, et al. “Critical Race and Intersectional Feminist Critique of Transhumanism in Superhero Movies.” Visual Culture & Gender, vol. 17, Jan. 2022, pp. 65–73. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,sso&db=edo&AN=159828612&site=eds-live&scope=site.
This essay explores the intersectionality of race, gender, and cultural identity in three 21st-century popular culture films: “Black Panther,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” and “Wonder Woman.” The authors, representing diverse socio-cultural backgrounds, engage in feminist critical race interpretations of transhumanism portrayed in these movies. Through their lived experiences, they analyze how the films empower and inspire, influencing teaching, research, and personal perspectives. The analysis delves into the representation of Black identity, martial arts, and Greek mythology, illustrating how these narratives challenge traditional gender norms and cultural stereotypes.
The paper sets the stage for an exploration of the empowerment of women in the Black Panther movie. Examples of Shuri, who was a tech wizard and T’Challa’s sister, and the Dora Milaje, a force of fierce women that protect Wakanda from enemies, are some instances that provide a different view of women in the face of both personal and societal stereotypes and norms. I will focus on this specific section to provide support to my argument of how the Black Panther movie did a perfect representation of female characters, which brought a good result because its success also enabled it to empower others and how these characters were able to transcend societal limits through technology.
Miller, Chris. “The Representation of the Black Male in Film.” Journal of African American Men, vol. 3, no. 3, 1998, pp. 19–30. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41819338. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.
In the paper, The Author presents historical events, including slavery, and how black people are perceived to be by white people. He talks about how nepotism affected the roles black men were able to get in Hollywood movies, which boosted the misrepresentation of black culture. He also discusses the black exploitation of Hollywood cinematography. I will use this paper to support my arguments on how black panther was able to go beyond normalized African stereotypes and become a successful movie.
Jiaxi, Wang, and Wang Changsong. “Representation of anti-racism and reconstruction of black identity in black panther.” Media Watch, vol. 14, no. 1, 2022, pp. 77–99, https://doi.org/10.1177/09760911221131654.
This research paper looks at why the Black superhero movie “Black Panther” is essential for fighting racism. The authors discuss how the film succeeded in showing the importance of anti-racism and rebuilding the image of black people in Marvel and Hollywood cinema. The paper looks at the black people and their spirit in a made-up world called Wakanda and how all the circumstances happening in the movie make black people appreciate who they are and feel proud of themselves. The study uses cultural identity, cinematic representation theories, and social identity theories to explain how black panther changes the artistic representation and finds that black superheroes are just as powerful as white people.
I find this paper more helpful because it also contains some major historical events that included much racism in media and technology and shows how media and film technology were able to evolve to create something that would be considered fair to different races. This article will help one of my arguments on things Black Panther did that other movie before it or even after it was not able to achieve. Eventually, this will also help me strengthen the point of making Wakanda as a symbol of black excellence portrayed through technological advancements.
“‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Breaks Box Office Record for Highest-Grossing November Debut.” C.N.E.T., www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/black-panther-wakanda-forever-breaks-box-office-record-for-highest-grossing-november-debut/. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
It is a website that has numbers and figures that represent Wakanda’s success, and I used the information on the website to show how the movie became famous after its release since it became one of the highest-grossing movies.
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