What was the overall creative direction for the hair in Black Panther? There were three parts. For the “traditional” look, we used inspiration from the Zulu tribe, the Maasai tribe, and the Hima tribe. Then we looked at the modern styles in the natural-hair movement. Finally we looked at the Afropunk movement, which has a lot of natural and creative styling. Also, there are five tribes in the story, and we had to create different looks for each tribe.
What was it like working on a movie where everyone was styled in natural hair? There’s no press and comb in this movie. No relaxers, no nothing! That was one of the things that I really was firm about. I requested that people come with their natural hair. People were like, “Are you sure?” and I was like, “Yes, I am sure! We have a qualified staff of hair people who are phenomenal and who are well-versed in natural hair.”al hair.”
How did it feel being a part of this movie? I don’t think black hair has ever been seen in a movie like this. It was an honor to do it and to have an open form to design and take hairstyling to the next level. That’s what we accomplished; we had a great crew and we worked really hard.
What do you want people to take away after seeing this movie? That black hair is versatile and it’s beautiful. With the right products, anything can be re-created.
White racists pulling the “Wakanda as an absolute monarchy that doesn’t share its secrets is so fucking problematic” card as a “gotcha” to excuse their antiblack racism or get one over on Black fans of the film (“how can you be anti blah blah blah if you like this problematic country”) is beyond annoying.
Where’s the insipid commentary on how monarchies are bad related to Thor and Asgard, hmm? No one had a problem with absolute monarchies until Black people were running one.
All these fuckers parrot about Wakanda sounds like it comes straight from white supremacist handbooks and it’s so transparent considering a fictional monarchy run by black people in Africa is basically a tipping point for them and their anger.
It’s the same hypocritical bullshit of this person going “I’m not going to pay to watch Black Panther because they are exploiting Shuri who’s a minor” when they didn’t boycott Civil War or Spiderman Homecoming despite Peter being exploited by Tony in both movies. They really think they are being subtle with this crap but they are not.
Asgard/Odin literally conquered other planets and shit and committed genocide but noooo they don’t care.
And please, even when Black Panther opens February 16, keep the major plot points to yourself. As Martin Freeman said, “When people do spoil it for folks, it’s a pain in the ass. You want to keep things a surprise. These films tap into a deep, deep childhood experience within us all. And kids like being surprised. I think it’s worth trying to maintain that.”
They proudly exclaim how Wakanda (a technologically advanced African country) is just unrealistic. They vehemently spew some racist rhetoric and cry both in person and on social media…
Then when called out? They say “The entire marvel universe is unrealistic so what I’m saying isn’t false it’s just stating facts”…. except no.
There is a movie about a green woman, half alien, talking raccoon, and a animalistic tree flying through space and you praise it AND exclaim how excited you are to see it. A movie about a child who has spider-like abilities doesn’t make you “uncomfortable” even though it deviates from human norm…. a man transforming into a giant green monster doesn’t make you “uncomfortable”.
But the story of an advanced peaceful civilization that doesn’t involve raping, killing, colonization, AND ESPECIALLY white people makes you uncomfortable to the point where you have to voice your opinion?
Save your breath and just say “I don’t like the idea of Black People being great. I don’t like the idea of Black People not depending on white people. I don’t like Black People, period”
Dear white women feminists who loved Wonder Woman–
Listen, I also loved Wonder Woman. But I also think that Diana would be the first to note that we are not free until we are all free. So if you posted a thousand times about how important WW was for little girls to see, then I hope you are also prepared to post a thousand times about how important the new Black Panther movie is for black kids- girls and boys- to see.
I saw Wonder Woman, and I teared up the first time she stormed the battlefield in her full regalia. But, as a black woman, I couldn’t not notice that the women who looked like me played supporting, and largely non-speaking, background parts. Black Panther is the chance for women who look like me to see ourselves as the heroes in our own story. To see ourselves as warriors, as epic royalty, as fully actualized superheroes. In a major studio blockbuster, no less. Never- not ever- has that happened before.
Hey everyone, so if you don’t know what’s going on: yesterday, footage from Marvel’s Black Panther was released showing the romantic f/f relationship between Okoye/Ayo, characters from the comics the movie will be using as inspiration for the story.
Of course, many fans were overjoyed to hear this, as we have been waiting for lgbt+ representation in MCU for a long time. However, Marvel has since retracted this, and released a statement saying that the relationship between these two women will not be depicted romantically:
This is more than disappointing to many, many people. We were teased with the possibility of representation, only to have it taken away from us. It’s long past the time for Marvel to step up and start telling more diverse stories, and we are tired of waiting.
What can you do to help? Please, please, spare a moment to reach out to Marvel, their producers, representatives, etc etc, on twitter, using the hashtag #LetAyoHaveAGirlfriend. Social media is such an amazing tool and we can use it to make our voices be heard, and maybe make a change. I think it’s really important for us to try.
Please take a moment to signal boost this post as well… the more awareness spread the better! It would mean the world to myself and so many Marvel fans if we were to have a canon, lgbt female character in the MCU.
How is this an amazing cast? There are literally only two actors out of this entire cast that are actually great actors, I have never even heard of the rest of these people.
I feel like you are only saying “Its an amazing cast” Because there are so few white people.
Angela Basset: Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner, with enough award nominations/wins to necessitate her own wikipedia page for awards alone. Lupita Nyong’o: Academy Award winner. Chadwick Boseman: Joseph Jefferson Award nominee; already showed his stripes as Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War. Sterling K. Brown: Emmy Award Winner for The People Vs. OJ Simpson and actor in the Golden Globe nominated television show This Is Us Florence Kasumba: Already had a bit part in Captain America: Civil War; was praised by many critics for her one scene being a scene-stealer Forest Whitaker:
^ that’s all from a single movie. Danai Gurira: Tony-award winning writer, plays Michonne on The Walking Dead, one of the most popular series out there today Michael J. Jordan: Featured actor in popular shows like Friday Night Lights, The Wire, and Parenthood in addition to frequent appearances on film. Daniel Kaluuya: The star of Get Out, which currently boasts a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and has been in the press pretty much constantly upon release. He was also featured in an episode of the acclaimed series Black Mirror. John Kani: An actor, playwright and director; while he hasn’t had as much work in America, he’s prolific enough to have a theatre in Newtown Johannesberg named after him.
Winston Duke and Letitia Wright have fewer credits to their names (the former has a consistent role in the well-received Person of Interest; the latter has been cast in Black Panther and Ready Player One in what is hopefully the beginnings of a bright career), but I don’t mean to belittle their successes by leaving them out, and those who aren’t as well known SHOULD be given a chance by big franchises. Lesser known names tend to get big after starring in Marvel movies. I sure as hell didn’t know who Chris Evans or Chris Hemsworth were prior to their flagship titles.
But even putting aside how important it is that this film is led by black creators, just because you don’t know these people doesn’t mean that they’re not critically acclaimed in their field, who haven’t put in the work. They have, and they’ve been recognized for it. Consider checking out some of their work before you decide whether or not only two of them are great actors.
Excuse me, police? I’d like to report a murder
Fake nerd boys haven’t seen Civil War or The Force Awakens. And son, you don’t know who Forest Whitaker is? Did you get frozen several decades ago and just get thawed out? Are you ok? Do you know who the president is????
Beltainefaerie's Flights of Fancy 