Month: August 2018

How Black Panther has excited Africa

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blackpanthercharacter1Poster of Black Panther also known as  T’Challa. 
Source: http://www.superherohype.com/news/407553-wakanda-forever-new-black-panther-character-posters-released#/slide/1

On February 16 2018, Black Panther hit cinemas and it has broken many records. Such as box office records. In the United States, it was expected to hit $90 million, however, it has reached to $170 million (Mithaiwala, 2018). In total, it has reached more than a billion dollars worldwide.  However that is not what it is about. Black Panther has excited Africa as a whole. To an individual, it has also inspired a certain individual who has been black and African in his/her entire life and has given many opportunities for many Africans.

The 2018 film has also given a new perspective of Africa. However, in the past, when people outside Africa think about Africa.  They always think about people riding in animals instead of cars or not being too modernised. Or when they do, they also think of the 1994 animated film The Lion King. Which are good examples. However, it does lead to stereotyping that it’s a crime mess or that Africa does not have any modern cities. But up until today, Black Panther is more proof that Africans can go beyond on what people do think of Africa.

Black Panther has shown a cultural importance of celebrating Black culture. In a fun fact, it is also directed by the African-American director Ryan Coogler (b.1986-present) Black Panther is seen as a movie on not just about a hero’s journey, but also a black culture’s Journey (Johnson, 2018).  Johnson (2018) has stated with its characters and costumes has shown pride and meaning. Even looking at the film, it has done its research really well. It has even given a spark to black moviegoers. African audiences who saw it were dressed in traditional African clothing and marks to celebrate the opportunity. Even after seeing Black Panther at its opening day, many Africans have been chanting in their languages. Like in South Africa, many were chanting in the Xhosa language. Which is a positive view on celebrating Black culture; especially in Africa.

The film has captured representation very well. Including the representation of strong female characters. The Dora Milage warrior is an excellent example. They are warriors who will fight for what’s right. Even the phrase Okoye states: “For Wakanda, Without Question” even seems very powerful. Even with T’Challa’s sister Shuri has shown a strong personality. With her use of science and humour has gone over the roof for many moviegoers.

It also give a representation of how Black people are oppressed. Killmonger is a prime example. He has spoken many aspects that many black people have gone thought in the past. It speaks to many African and Black people in general. Despite Killmonger’s misdeeds, he is a sympathetic and a strong character. His most powerful moment is his death (which many people think he does not deserve). Even him saying “Death is better than Bondage” is a powerful line. It’s like a way of him saying that he would rather die a free man, than to stay chained in a chained wall. Which one would hear in films all the time. One would think Killmonger is the best Character in the film so far, and in one’s opinion, he has shined both as a villain and a character.

Black Panther by far has shone in many ways than one could imagine. Many have even compared Black Panther to The Lion King in positive ways. With all that it has done of representing Africa, one could hope that film industries around the world, especially Africa will make more film Black Panther and hopefully would set the continent in a good path for the people living there.

References

Gender Representation in Animation

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According to Gurkan and Serttas (2017), Mass Media is a strong device that strengthens male and female roles in society. We see today, males and females see the specific image of representation. For instance, children’s programming, view some characters with traits to promote gender stereotypes. The only thing is that gender roles are set after birth and any who do not abide it are teased or shamed (mtv braless, 2015).

Female Representation

Tansy Gardam (2015) mentions that animating female characters extremely difficult. Because of the range of emotions and have to be beautiful. Which feels one-sided.

Many women are seen as emotional and always a damsel in distress in many animated films.  That has always been the norm. In many old Disney films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, they are always seen as pale skin, very slender and always seen as major damsel in distresses. This causes some major problems for the gender. One can say that it is not accurate. Moreover, many females are all different.

Gardam speaks about Brenda Chapmen, who is the first women to direct an animated film (The Prince of Egypt, 1998). Who agrees with the difficulty of showing women in animation is difficult. She does go on to say that there are also limited and always been stereotyped as beautiful. However, Chapmen had been an extraordinary example of a strong female in the industry as she as she has taken part of films like The Lion King as a head of story and as director of Brave.

Female representation has changed. Films like Mulan (1998), Moana (2016), Brave (2012) or Wonder Woman (2017). These are examples of positive representation. They do not need a male romantic partner to help the story, they reveal to be three-dimensional and show that they do not have to just be beautiful; but can by brave too.

Figure 1: Moana (Top), Merida (Middle), Wonder Woman (Bottom) 

a77a1bee5938693912fe6b8479497c82   merida-brave.jpg

wonder-woman1.jpg

Link 1: http://lol.disney.com/characters/moana

Link 2: https://variety.com/gallery/wonder-woman-most-badass-female-film-characters-princess-leia-ripley-hermione

Male Representation

In many films, one can fantasise that domination is central of being a man (mtv braless, 2015). Men in films and other media have always neen seen as strong, muscular and incapable of being very emotional. In one’s opinion, it is very controversial. As it with the female gender, there is also pressure on this representation. Again, has a one-sided effect. Ito many men, it does put some pressure on how men should feel. For example, we have all heard of the phrase “Men do not cry”. Seen as a sign of weakness. Depending on the situation.

 beauty-beast-2017-gaston1

 Figure 2: Gaston (Beauty and the Beast, 1991).

Link: https://screenrant.com/beauty-beast-2017-gaston-song-lyrics/

For example, Gaston in the 1991 film Beauty and The Beast. He is strong. Furthermore, he is the one who everybody idolises. Gaston is an example on how society is. Because he is a strong male stereotype and does all of the things he does in the film, he is idolised for that and he keeps on getting what he wants.

However, in current times, it is changing. You see many male characters being nerdy and heroic. Alternatively, they are more accepted. Especially film and series like The Big Bang Theory (2007-present). Again going back to Disney, a character called Milo Thatch is an example of a nerdy hero.

Milo01.jpg

Figure 3: Milo Thatch (Atlantis: The Lost Empire, 2001)

Link: http://the-secret-world-of-the-animated-characters.wikia.com/wiki/Milo_Thatch

Conclusion

Representation is seen as a one sided conversation to have with somebody. However, with some of the examples shown, representation can have a different effect in a positive way. In current films, you see many gender roles in different ways. For instance, the female role has been changing significantly. With the males as well has shown evidence that not all male heroes are seen as strong swashbucklers. We just hope that in future, the representation of the genders will continue to change in time.

 

References

  • Chapmen, B. (dir.), Andrews, M. (dir.), Sarafian, K. (prod.), Brave, 2012, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures
  • Clements, R. (dir.), Musker, J. (dir), Shurer, O. (prod.), Moana, 2016, Walt Disney Animation Studios
  • Gardam, T. 2015. Looking From the Outside in – Gender Representation in Animation. https://fourthreefilm.com/2015/09/looking-from-the-outside-in-gender-representation-in-animation/
  • Gurkan, H. & Serettas, A. (eds.) The Representation of Masculinity in Cinema and Television: An analysis of Fictional Male Characters, European Journal of Multidiplisinary Studies, 2017, http://journals.euser.org/files/articles/ejms_may_aug_17/Hasan.pdf (Aug. 21 2018)
  • Jekkins, P. (dir.), Roven, C. (prod.), Snyder, D. (prod.), Snyder, Z. (prod.), Wonder Woman, 2017, Warner Bros. Pictures,
  • Mtv braless. 2015. How Disney Stereotypes Hurt Men (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=z6713bgsx64) (Aug. 21 2018)
  • Trousdale, G. (dir) Wise, K (dir), Hahn, D. (prod). Beauty And The Beast, 1991, Walt Disney Animation Studios
  • Trousdale, G. (dir.) Wise, K. (dir.), Hahn, D (prod.), Atlantis: The Lost Empire, 2001, Walt Disney Animation Studios