BLACK PANTHER CONTEXT

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

How does the setting of the film and it’s context relate to exploitation and history of oppression of the black community?

Black Panther is set in the fictionalised world of Wakanda and in the modern world BUT it does reflect the historical discourse related to EXPLOITATION

From 15-20th century, European powers colonised African countries, forcing their inhabitants into slavery, eroding their culture and exploiting their country’s resources.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

How did the mistreatment of the black community in history affect political movements and how does this relate to the title of the movie?

The mistreatment of the black community led to particular groups such as African-Americans attempting to re-establish a black cultural identity- raising awareness of historical inequalities.

The film and the character take their name from a group of political activists: The Black Panther Party - 1966-1982

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

What was the Black Panther Party?

A political organisation influenced by the speeches of Malcolm X. It’s aim was to address racial inequalities and police brutality and the murder of black people. It was a controversial organisation due to its advocation of violent tactics and many of its members were arrested or killed in confrontations with the police.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT

What was the film released to coincide with?

The film was released to coincide with Black History Month in the USA a time when the struggles and achievements and culture of the black community are celebrated

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT

What 3 elements of the film made it so culturally and socially relevant? How did it address race disparity in the media?

The narrative, choice of a largely black cast and the themes covered in the film are all culturally and socially relevant.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT

How was film marketed as a cultural event?

Although Marvel films had regularly featured black characters, these tended not to have central roles and only a limited number of films in the superhero genre have female leads.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT

How did it address race disparity in the media?

The #oscarssowhite campaign in 2016 had drawn global attention to the lack of diversity in mainstream films - Black Panther addressed this disparity

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT

Culturally, how does the media portray Africa?

Culturally, the media tends to portray a negative representation of Africa, presenting the continent through the use of terms such as ‘war’ ‘starvation’ and ‘famine’ as descriptors and putting forward a view of Africa as a developing country with issues.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT

How did Black Panther create a cultural footprint?

Black Panther created a cultural footprint with the Afrofuturistic aesthetic and in dealing with the issues faced by the black community

“The very existence of Black Panther feels like resistance. Its themes challenge institutional bias, its characters take unsubtle digs at oppressors and its narrative includes prismatic perspectives on black life…” Time Magazine