Black Panther - A level Media

• Where is Black Panther set?

  The film shows us the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda, which has avoided European colonisation and achieved a technological superiority through the use of a mineral called Vibranium.
• Who was Black panther produced by and what is their relations to Walt Disney company?

  The film was produced by Marvel Studios, a famous comic book brand that is also a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.
• How did Black Panther do when it was released in February 2018?

  Black Panther was extremely successful, broke records for the highest opening weekend in the USA, and also performed well globally. The film has grossed well over $1 billion worldwide, with 48% in non-US countries
• It is one of the only superhero films to be nominated for what award?

  It was also one of the only superhero films to be nominated for a ‘Best Picture’ Academy Award. It won three Oscars for Costume, Production Design, and Original Soundtrack.
• What did the film's title, 'black panther', make reference too?

  The Black Panther Party (October 1966-82) was a political activist group established initially to provide armed monitoring of police behaviour and prevent police brutality in the US. It was controversial, with many Panthers being arrested or killed in confrontations with police.
• who has the science fiction blockbuster and superhero genres been dominated by?

  The science fiction blockbuster and superhero genres have traditionally been dominated by white, male characters. In the 1990s, actors like Will Smith and Wesley Snipes did break ground playing black characters, but recent action films and especially superhero films have rarely featured African-American actors in lead roles
• Where have non-white and female characters been placed in the last 15 years of Marvel?

  For the last 15 years, Marvel films have topped the box office. Though these regularly featured non-white characters, they were often sidekicks (e.g. The Falcon in the Captain America films). There have also been very few superhero films with a female lead (Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel being exceptions).
• What happen after the 2016 Oscars?

  In 2016, the #oscarssowhite meme drew attention to the lack of diversity in the films nominated.
• How is Africa portrayed in the US/European media?

  US/European news media tends to portray Africa as an under-privileged, developing country, focusing on civil wars, famine and terrorism. The Victorian branding of Africa as ‘the Dark Continent’ has not evolved very far. Very few feature films from Africa reach the Western mainstream, and films like Blood Diamond (2006) and Captain Phillips (2013), though featuring sympathetic African characters, still portray Africa as a dangerous and barbaric place.
• What is the economic and political context in terms of Obama?

  Barack Obama (2009-2017), America’s first African-American president, created many initiatives that aided minority A level Media Studies Fact Sheet 2 and women’s groups: from universal healthcare, to college and entrepreneurship access funds for the under-privileged.
• What is the economic and political context in terms of Trump who was president during the release of the film?

  Donald Trump had vowed to reverse many of these, winning support from mostly white, right wing Americans who consider such initiatives unfair. In addition, Trump had insulted other countries (including many in Africa), and refused to condemn violent racist attacks in American cities.
• What led to the #blacklivesmatter campaign?

  Worrying statistics about the amount of unarmed ‘people of colour’ (POC) shot by US police led to the #blacklivesmatter campaign, which has utilised social media to raise awareness of an issue that has often been ignored by mainstream media.
• What genre does Black Panther primarily belong to?

  Superhero genre
• How does Black Panther subvert typical superhero conventions?

  By blending traditional culture with futuristic technology
• What aesthetic is used to depict Wakanda in Black Panther?

  Afrofuturist aesthetic
• What does the world-building in Black Panther challenge?

  Stereotypical depictions of Africa
• What type of shots are used to portray T'Challa as a hero?

  Hero shots
• How does Killmonger’s portrayal add complexity to the film?

  He receives similar visual treatment as T'Challa
• What editing technique is typical in Black Panther's action sequences?

  Fast-paced editing
• How are key scenes like ritual combat edited in Black Panther?

  They use longer takes to emphasize importance
• What type of music is featured in Black Panther's soundtrack?

  Traditional African instrumentation and modern hip-hop
• What does the soundtrack help to situate Wakanda as?

  Both authentic and modern
• What is groundbreaking about Black Panther's cast?

  Predominantly Black cast in powerful roles
• How does Black Panther challenge Hollywood's portrayal of Black characters?

  By presenting varied and aspirational roles
• How are female characters like Shuri and Nakia portrayed?

  As intelligent, independent, and powerful
• What common tropes do female characters in Black Panther subvert?

  Sidelined love interests in action films
• What alternative narrative does Wakanda offer about African identity?

  Technological superiority and sovereignty
• What motivates Killmonger in Black Panther?

  Real-world Black experiences of oppression
• Who was the target audience for Black Panther?

  Traditional Marvel fans and Black audiences
• How might audiences decode Black Panther differently according to Stuart Hall?

  Through preferred, negotiated, or oppositional readings
• What is a preferred reading of Black Panther?

  An empowering celebration of Black excellence
• What is a negotiated reading of Black Panther?

  Enjoying representation but critiquing commercialism
• What is an oppositional reading of Black Panther?

  Seeing it as too political or tokenistic
• What are the uses and gratifications of Black Panther for audiences?

  Entertainment, personal identity, and social interaction
• What was the production budget for Black Panther?

  Over $200 million
• Who was the director of Black Panther?

  Ryan Coogler
• What marketing strategy did Black Panther use to highlight its cultural significance?

  Viral marketing campaigns
• What was Black Panther's historic box office success?

  $1.3 billion worldwide
• What significant nomination did Black Panther receive at the Oscars?

  Best Picture nomination
• What does the nomination for Best Picture reflect about the industry?

  Changing attitudes towards diverse films