Introduction
Afrofuturism is perhaps the most prominent element of Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther. At first look, the director’s depiction of Wakanda appears to be a movie that challenges preconceived notions about Africa. However, this does not mean that the movie is without criticism. This essay will analyze the elements of Black Panther to see if each component was utilized sensibly and effectively to represent Afrofuturism.
Discussion
Afrofuturism is a cultural style that explores the African-American experience by fusing science fiction, history, and fantasy. It also aspires to reunite people from the black diaspora with their long-forgotten African ancestors (Ryzyk; “What is Afrofuturism?”). In Black Panther, the costumes are used to further their own narrative. The images that costumes produce in this movie allow the audience to use gender as a manner of building the characters’ identities.
One might not understand how crucial a role clothing plays in how a character is portrayed at first, but with closer inspection, viewers can discern the character’s theme through the costume. The idea and portrayal of a female warrior are not new, but with the release of Black Panther, there has been more interest in strong Black female characters. The costumes used to dress these characters further emphasize their warrior nature and African descent.
The horrors of the West, such as slavery, Jim Crow, and displacement within the diaspora, may be avoided by adhering to the idea of Afrofuturism. Despite being ambitious, Ryan Coogler’s portrayal of Wakanda as a country free of colonialism succeeds in offering viewers a taste of what a future without connections to Europe may look like and how they would value modernism, technology, and the juxtaposition of spirituality (Ford). The viewer can envision a future for Black women as well as Black males since Black women are given more than a supporting role in the movie. Shuri, the chief technology officer of Wakanda, and Okoye, King T’Challa’s general, are two significant female characters in the movie.
Conclusion
In summary, Afrofuturism is a cultural aesthetic that blends science fiction, history, and fantasy to examine the African-American experience. Wakanda’s representation by Ryan Coogler as a nation free of colonialism succeeds in giving audiences a glimpse of what a future without ties to Europe would be. The costumes that the cast used also reflect Afrofuturism, as they utilize the traditional elements seen in African culture.
Work Cited
Ford, Tanisha. “Why Fashion Is Key to Understanding the World of Black Panther.” The Atlantic. Web.
Black Panther. Directed by Ryan Cooger. Marvel, 2022.
Ryzyk, Melanie. “The Afrofuturistic Designs of ‘Black Panther’.” The New York Times, Web.
“What is Afrofuturism?” Web.