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28 Established 1961 Thursday, February 15, 2018 Lifestyle Features ‘Black Panther’: More than just another superhero movie lack Panther” is expected to be a major nods, the super-cast features some of the most hashtag #BlackPantherChallenge. box office smash, but it has also taken on accomplished black actors working in cinema Joseph describes the film as a “rare opportuni- “Bthe mantle of cultural talisman, a touch- today. Wakanda, almost a character in itself, sub- ty for young students-primarily of color-to see a stone on which moviegoers of color worldwide verts the stereotype of Africa as victim by posit- black major cinematic and comic book character” are pinning their hopes. The 18th entry in the ing an affluent, resource-rich, never-colonized on the big screen. Jeff Bock, a senior box office Marvel Cinematic Universe, opening Friday in the utopia doing its own soul-searching over taking analyst for Exhibitor Relations, describes the film United States, features an almost entirely black in refugees from poorer nations. as a “stake in the heart of what works and what cast led by Chadwick Boseman as the first non- doesn’t in Hollywood.” white superhero to get his own standalone movie ‘Breaking down barriers’ in the lucrative franchise. “What this movie represents... is a story and ‘Cultural zeitgeist’ The film from Disney-owned Marvel Studios is point of view that is universal in its appeal yet “This is a new ballgame now, one that expected to break opening weekend box office very grounded in African American culture,” Paul shouldn’t discriminate in any way shape or form- records and has spawned headlines and social Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for with talent leading the charge, no matter what media buzz worldwide about its significance as a comScore, told AFP. “Its universal themes will color flag they’re flying,” Bock told AFP. “Black game changer for racial representation in cinema. allow it to become a worldwide phenomenon Panther” isn’t the first movie featuring non-white “We put our heart and soul into it because we while at the same time representing a really superheroes-around 30 ethnic characters have knew it was a great opportunity,” Boseman, 41, important moment in film, breaking down barriers donned lycra for big screen appearances since said during a Twitter Q&A on Monday. and outmoded ideas about what is commercially the early 1990s-but the Wakandan royal is the “But to see how people have responded to it viable.” With five million posts, “Black Panther” is first black protagonist to land his own movie in when they haven’t even seen the movie yet, it’s the most tweeted-about movie of 2018 — ahead the MCU. unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s crazy.” even of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”-and is outper- “When Ryan and Hannah Beachler, our pro- ways-whether that’s via a small indie film or a American actor Chadwick Boseman (“Message from the King,” “Marshall”) forming “The Hunger Games” and “Beauty and duction designer, came on, they really made it big-budget blockbuster,” Shawn Robbins, chief plays the titular superhero in “Black Panther,” also the Beast” in pre-sales. their mission to go to real African sources for Boseman poses on arrival analyst at Boxoffice.com, told AFP. “The impact of for the European Premiere of known as T’Challa, king and protector of the Experts are predicting a $150-165 million inspiration for the costumes and designs of the Black Panther’s seemingly inevitable success technologically advanced fictional African nation opening which would challenge the $152 million structures, and even how the city is laid out,” said “Black Panther” in central could be far-reaching in ways that we can’t fully London. of Wakanda. His star-studded support cast is Presidents Day weekend record set by another African American executive producer Nate predict yet, other than to say Marvel’s universe- made up of African Americans Michael B Jordan, Marvel Comics creation, Fox’s “Deadpool” (2016). Moore. “All that care helped make it real for all of and the movie world at large-are becoming more Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett and Forest Fred Joseph, a marketing consultant from New us.” Various analysts interviewed by AFP said and more inclusive for all genders and all colors Whitaker, English actors Daniel Kaluuya and York, set up a GoFundMe campaign in January they expect the film to do for ethnic diversity of skin.”— AFP Letitia Wright-Kaluuya is of Ugandan heritage that aimed to raise $10,000 for the Boys and what last summer’s Warner Bros. smash hit while Wright grew up in Guyana-and Kenyan- Girls Club of Harlem to watch the movie. “Help “Wonder Woman” did for women-which was to Mexican Lupita Nyong’o. Children See Black Panther” ended up making persuade executives that blockbusters don’t need With two Oscar winners (Nyong’o and fives time that amount and Joseph has since white male leads to sell tickets. Whitaker) and two nominees (Kaluuya and encouraged hundreds of campaigns around the “As an art form, film has the ability to capture Bassett), as well as a hatful of Golden Globes world to raise a total of $400,000 under the the cultural zeitgeist in profound and influential Calls to strip French rapper of awards for ‘sexist’ lyrics French rapper is facing calls to be stripped of the country’s top musi- Acal awards for the sexist and “degrading” lyrics of his old songs. Orelsan won three Victories of Music prizes Friday, confirming him as France’s rapper of the moment. But a petition is demanding that French Culture Minister Francoise Nyssen strip him of the awards because of his 2006 song, “Saint Valentine”, which saw him convicted of inciting violence against women. Orelsan, 35, was acquitted on appeal of the charge in 2016 despite the hit contain- ing the line “Shut your mouth or I will This ﬁle photo taken shows French rap singer make a Marie Trintignant of you,” a refer- Models pose during the MARVEL Black Panther fashion week celebration “Welcome to Wakanda” at Industria in New York. — AFP photos Orelsan performing on stage during the Urban ence to a French actress who was killed Peace 3 hip-hop concert at the Stade de by her pop star boyfriend, Bertrand France in Saint-Denis, near Paris.—AFP Cantat of Noir Desir, in 2003. A number of feminist groups have brought charges sored,” the petition on Change.org added. against Orselan for the lyrics of several of “What kind of example does that set Black Panther fever hits NY Fashion Week his early songs even though the singer for young people,” the petition said. claims to be a feminist himself. “How in a period like this (with the He has been cleared on appeal in all of #MeToo movement) could this be possi- arvel Studios brought “Black Panther” female empowerment,” Smith told AFP. “I fashionable than other superhero films was real- the cases, with judges saying it was clear ble?” Orelsan, 35, aka Aurelien Cotentin fever to New York Fashion Week, wanted to create something that really just ly about the cast, the attitude that the cast really that the singer did not endorse the feel- from the Normandy town of Caen, had Minviting designers to showcase clothes connected to the characters and the film... embodies,” said Smith. “I hope it inspires young ings of the “hopeless” characters in his managed to shake off much of his early inspired by the iconic movie, already winning embodying power, and feminity, and strength boys and young girls.” Otherwise here is a quick songs. But a new petition against the sexist image in recent years with biting rave reviews ahead of its Friday release in the and sensuality.” roundup of the best of Fashion Week day five, singer had gathered more than 25,000 and often humorous songs chronicling United States. More than a thousand people Reviews following Monday’s premiere of the before the global 2018 fall/winter season shifts signatures by yesterday. “We call on all some rarely seen sides of French country packed the Welcome to Wakanda presentation movie that stars Hollywood’s first black super- to Europe. — AFP those who defend women’s rights to towns. — AFP in the West Village that featured the work of 10 hero to get his own stand-alone film were elec- protest against the prizes received by this labels, including Chromat, Cushnie et Ochs and tric, calling the picture “iconic” and “astonish- individual, whose work should be cen- LaQuan Smith. “The inspiration for me was ing.” “I think what made Black Panther more Afghan institute, Metallica win music’s ‘Nobel Prize’ n Afghan music institute that has empowered girls and privileged” to win the prize. “At the same time, we feel like we’re in our prime with in the war-torn country and metal pioneers “We believe that our two recipients, although from a lot of good years ahead of us,” Ulrich said of the band, AMetallica yesterday shared the Polar Music Prize, very contrasting worlds, exemplify the mission of the which released its 10th album, “Hardwired... to Self- often called music’s Nobel. The laureates will each receive Polar Music Prize, and that is to honour musicians and Destruct” in late 2016. The Polar Music Prize was estab- one million Swedish kronor (101,000 euros, $125,000) at music organizations whose work has made a difference to lished in 1989 by the late Stig Anderson, best known as a televised gala in Stockholm on June 14 in the presence people’s lives,” Marie Ledin, managing director of the the manager of Swedish pop superstars ABBA, and of King Carl XVI Gustaf.

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