Black Panther (movie)

It’s now two American big screen films that have created odd, unfamiliar machinations in this Americo-African heart of mine. The first was “Lion King”, a cartoon animation offering the Disney version of wildlife with an African flavor. I saw hornbills, bee-eaters, antelopes and gazelles mixed in with lions and hyenas. And, I observed my heart being moved in a way never before experienced in a theater.

Last week, I had a second such experience. At the insistence of my daughters and wife (who’d already gone to see it because of the Marvel comics aspect), I accompanied Pamela to review the new blockbuster film, Black Panther with her. To say it was “just another movie” (like Thor, Spiderman, etc.) would be complete untruth!

Now, to be sure, Black Panther is no more representative of the African experience than Thor is of that in modern Scandinavia. Still, I found the main theme distressing. Apparently, the reason Africa hasn’t lead humanity in technological advance to the present is due, not in part, but the whole to -- European, colonial interference(s). Now that the nation of Wakanda is forced into view, world progress can be advanced.

I did enjoy the film, even if it followed current trends to depend on CGI rather than story line. Movies of the “action” genre strain belief as to what’s physically happening onscreen, I find. The story in Black Panther takes off, finally, about an hour into the movie. Until then I had to endure famous American actors attempting to seem ethnically true to character. (I am reminded of a black friend, Chris. When he tasted an Ethiopian chicken dish, doro we’t, and didn’t like it -- he felt guilty!!)

They certainly picked beautiful, talented actors for all the roles. How refreshing to see that instead as in old Westerns where people like Burt Lancaster played Indians, in safari films with Europeans in Oriental dress and make-up, and so on. (Years ago, I was told of a Tarzan-style film showing in Nairobi, and the scene where a “native” suddenly prostrates himself before an authority figure to deliver a serious message. Apparently, the audience immediately burst into hysterical laughter. Why? Because what the actor actually said in Swahili was something about having worked for ten years in the industry, only to still be given crappy roles and lines with which to work!)

“The Hobbit” actually did a good job as well, playing a CIA agent with some sort of Yankee parentage. The African accents of non-American actors seemed generic somehow. Perhaps that’s just my Ethiopian roots showing -- East Africans otherwise have an African version of a British accent going on, West Africa may have French influences amongst their own native tongues, and southern Africa is yet another take on speaking English. Rhodesian and Afrikaner accents are different from one another, too.

Hearing “Xhosa” with English subtitles was also entertaining. In fact, the family thought it would help me judge favorably. I have been attempting a few words myself for a decade, accompanying Afrikaans efforts towards future safaris in the Eastern Cape. What they were actually saying, although no doubts abide concerning voice coaching of the actors, would have to pass muster with an actual isiXhosa expert. Me? I claim a lisp and stutter when attempting the ‘clicks’ and intonations of proper speech. Zulu spoken in the Shaka mini-series sounds far more authentic. Henry Cele et al needed no coaches! (Of course, that was centered on actual historical figures.)

I enjoyed immensely seeing the United Nations relocated to Vienna, Austria. Also, it was reassuring to have the antagonist suffer defeat in trying to remedy these worldwide injustices, seen to be visited exclusively on people of color (non-whites.) One always would prefer the way of peace and prosperity, being lead thus to heal all wounds. Hope beats eternal in the human heart, after all.

However, as one of African experience myself, I simply cannot condone the white-washing approach to the continent’s problems. Sure, Wonder Woman, the Hulk, Superman and a host of other “good guys” would help a bunch, and their hero functions leave plenty of room for Black Panther, Thor, Aquaman, and so on. Everyone needs a hero, and I’m glad black kids can imagine being of equal or even superior greatness, too. As to the reasons “why” the world has troubles, I believe Billy Graham explained it far better (telling all of us the Way to be at peace, with God.)