Middle East

Black Panther is much more than a superhero movie

Wed, 2018-04-18 20:25ID: 1524072333443819100

DUBAI: Black Panther may be a Marvel superhero movie, but its hard to describe the story without it sounding darn-near Shakespearean. A young king takes the throne after his fathers tragic death. When he finds out the truth about his fathers legacy, and the mistakes his father made as a leader, he must grapple with the fate of his country—keeping it out of the hands of a charismatic and dangerous man who arrives to take the throne and change its direction.
The young kings name is TChalla, and he rules the fictional African nation of Wakanda, a land that has, due to a special natural resource found only there, has unmatched wealth, technological development and prosperity. To protect itself, the rulers of the country have always kept the countrys greatness a secret, refusing to open its borders, engage in either war or humanitarian efforts.
What makes Black Panther so potent is the question TChalla is faced with — what is a powerful countrys role in the world? — has no easy answers. Even better, the films central antagonist, Killmonger, who arrives in Wakanda to change the country into a direct interventionist, makes thought-provoking points of his own, as the best villains do, forcing TChalla to consider a different path forward.
There are many reasons why Black Panther became a global phenomenon. As the first Marvel superhero film to feature a predominantly black cast from a young black director, it showed audiences something theyd never seen before. That representation will mean so much to communities that Hollywood has traditionally underrepresented, and to young viewers looking up at the screen to see a hero that looks like them, across the world.
What will make this film resonate is that, while providing plenty of action spectacle, beautiful stars, art direction, costumes and superheroism, it is a film with a lot on its mind, asking many questions about how the world should approach its future, and how it should reckon with the many sins of its past.
While the film doesnt provide enough satisfying answers, the debates it has sparked, and will continue to spark, are what make it an essential film, especially in a country embarking on a new future, and asking these same questions itself.

Main category: Saudi ArabiaOffbeatTags: cinemaCinema Is Back in Saudiblack panther Saudi Arabia to show Black Panther to mark cinema openingSoft opening for Saudi cinemas, then curtain up in MaySaudi Cinemas official Twitter account receives warm welcomeSaudi cinemas will boost movie sector across KSA

[contf]
[contfnew]

Arab News

[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]

Related Articles

Middle East

Israel PM ‘flew to Saudi Arabia for secret talks with crown prince’

bbc– Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly flew to Saudi Arabia on...

Middle East

Lebanon’s unfinished revolution: One year after protests, change has yet to come

Issued on: 21/10/2020 – 12:18Modified: 21/10/2020 – 14:28 It's been one year...

Middle East

Israel lauds UAE delegation visit as ‘making history’, Palestinians deem it ‘shameful’

Issued on: 20/10/2020 – 14:27 In an historic first visit by a...

Middle East

Iran rules out weapons ‘buying spree’ as UN embargo is set to expire

Issued on: 18/10/2020 – 07:42 Iran said it was self-reliant in its...