WAKANDA LIVES.... THROUGH MY SISTER'S EYES: BLACK PANTHER [MOVIE REVIEW]
PHOTO CREDIT: EDS FILMS PHOTOGRAPHY by ESPRITO DOMINGO
We're a family of six; four kids who grew up on MARVEL - my oldest brother the ring leader, "nerd" who collected cards and comic books.
To this day we still have a chest full of sacred memorabilia.
I don't consider myself an action person, however, I STILL LOVE SUPERHERO MOVIES and I somehow always get dragged to the theater to see them (although I could totally wait 'til they come on cable).
I try to refrain from going to see sequel films, but BLACK PANTHER wasn't a sequel, it was more of an introduction and even a MOVEMENT FOR OUR PEOPLE.
Currently the number #1 movie in the world, and the best feeling is knowing that there are people all over who look like you and can experience the same joy from someting your people created, something you ALL can share and be proud of.
I had no idea BLACK PANTHER would generate this much buzz or even gross over $200 Million in the first week and 500 million worldwide.....
But timing is key. It premiered Valentine's weekend, during Black History Month....
The universe is energetic. Never underestimate the power of the Black dollar.
Contrary to what many may believe; we LOVE to support our own and celebrate those winning. ✊
I saw BLACK PANTHER with my bestie who was drunk and loud during the movie which might have contributed to why it wasn't the best time I've ever had...
... and although I'm not an action-person - I felt it lacked action for a Marvel Movie, however it WAS a really good film and told a great story of T'challa and his homeland in Africa.
The perfect tale to bring our sisters and brothers together no matter what culture, creed or ethnicity.
Anytime we can publicly celebrate African fashion sense, dress in African garb and embrace our ancestors we're liberated and warrant social response. Hence why #BlackPanther has been trending for weeks!
But these aren't photos from my BLACK PANTHER night, they're from my sister Yasmin's on the upper left. Her friend Fatima on the upper right, asked her to see the movie with her and they had a great time (as you can see).
They rolled together and met up with the homies at the screening.
The night was young and the movie was soooo good; they had to find a chill spot to discuss their thoughts. So they headed to Fat Cat NYC for a game of pool.
Although many of them were friends of a friend, they learned they all had the same sentiments and agreed they would see the movie a second time.
Director, Ryan Coogler highlighted many cultural lessons and myths in the film.
We LOVE that our BEAUTIFUL Black Women were celebrated. We got to see how women were respected and should still be respected today.
How Women raised a village and a nation.... We saw how men stood beside Women and relied on them for help and comfort..... Without the notion of #METOO.
I found this New York Times article by Carvell Wallace interesting after seeing BLACK PANTHER.
#NoSpoilers but Wallace touched on the fact that in the United States; our people are 'embarassed to eat Watermelon 🍉 in front of White people' (I guess Queen Bey didn't get that memo 😉). Yet Watermelon is known to be sacred in Kenya, South Africa. 🤔
I find these African American beliefs incredibly disheartening especially because aside from WTRMLN WTR, there are lots of other businesses profiting off of watermelon.
The watermelon in Wallace's article is symbolism for many natural resources found in Africa... and I've never been one to point fingers and place blame on someone "stealing from my culture" (I'm actually pro collaboration)....
However, I want us to remember to embrace our culture EVERYDAY and to be proud of wherever we come from - the same way we are proud to embrace WAKANDA.
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Nicely put together!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I appreciate it : )
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