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, 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. The Afghan National Institute of award, said in a statement. “Metallica is loved and selects two laureates each year. The prize’s stated goal is Music was honored along with its founder, Ahmad admired by millions of hard rock fans across the globe,” to “break down musical boundaries by bringing together Sarmast, who started the school in 2010 in a rare coedu- she said. Sarmast and the music institute, meanwhile, have people from all the different worlds of music.” Past laure- cational initiative in the war-torn country. worked “to restore the joy and power of music to chil- ates have included , , Bjork, The institute, which teaches both Afghan and Western dren’s lives,” she said. and . — AFP music, helped generate the country’s first all-female Metallica is one of the most influential bands in heavy orchestra which performed last yar at the World metal, helping bring the angry and aggressive music to the Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Sarmast, who has mainstream and preserving an avid fan base for decades. Metallica perform onstage as part of Citi Sound faced substantial risk in a country where both music and Lars Ulrich, the California band’s Danish-born drummer, Vault, a new live music platform curated exclusive- girls’ education was banned under the repressive 1996- called the Polar Music Prize “a great validation of every- ly for Citi card members, at Hollywood Palladium in 2001 Taliban regime, said he was “very excited, honored thing that Metallica has done over the last 35 years.” Los Angeles, California. — AFP American Tourister celebrates Vienna museum’s ‘Stairway to Kuwait National Day Klimt’ takes visitors to new heights isitors to Vienna’s art history museum on Monday merican Tourister, the world’s leading luggage ing this limited-edition luggage set. We are certain that it enjoyed a closer look at 13 of Gustav Klimt’s Brand has recently launched its Limited Edition will appeal to our loyal customers.” Vunsung masterpieces thanks to a walkway erected collection to celebrate Kuwait’s National and Syed Shaheen Jamil, Business Head for Middle East, over a monumental central stairway. The sprawling A Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM), opened in 1891 under Liberation Day. Known for its stylish and youthful bags, Africa, CIS and SAARC countries for American this Limited Edition range, a first of its kind has been Tourister said, “The launch of this Limited Edition Emperor Franz-Joseph, houses one of Europe’s most inspired by the colors of the Kuwait National Flag. range is our humble attempt to Salute the Spirit and important art collections while also showcasing interior This ‘Kuwait Edition’ luggage comes in a set of 2 Pride of this Great Nation”. Adding to Jamil’s comment, design by the cream of Vienna’s artists and sculptors. pieces - 79cm and 50cm. All efforts have gone in ensur- Shahzad Gidwani, General Manager of Behbehani Among those commissioned to decorate the building ing that these bags continue to cater to the discerning Group, Trading Division, said “Throughout the years, I was Klimt, then 28 and considered a rising star of the Kuwaiti customer’s travel needs, while bringing out his have seen many collections that have attracted the Austrian neo-classical school. But until now the museum’s sense of celebration and pride on this joyous occasion. attention of our customers; however, this limited-edi- 1.4 million annual visitors could only admire the paintings With only 300 sets of this Limited edition range having tion luggage set is truly one-of-a-kind, and I think will from afar. The eye-level experience is well worth the climb been produced world-wide, it becomes a must have be the most appealing by far.” up the “Stairway to Klimt”, as the museum has dubbed the accessory for those who want to carry a piece of Kuwait This collection is available exclusively at American new installation, in a nod to the song by heavy-metal band with them as they globe trot. Tourister showrooms located at Marina Mall, 89 Mall, . Paying homage to the Venetian, Roman and Commenting on the launch of this Limited Edition Souk Al Kabir, Al Salam Mall, Muthanna Complex, City Florentine traditions of the Quattrocento, as well as to Visitors stand on a suspended bridge, twelve meters above luggage, Abdul Mohsen Behbehani, Director of Centre Salmiya and Xcite-Avenues Branch. It can also Egyptian art, the superbly preserved works are testament ground, to take a closer look at paintings by Austrian painter Behbehani Group, said, “It is a great honour that the be ordered online at www.americantourister.com.kw or to the young Klimt’s artistic maturity and hint at the future Gustav Klimt which adorn the arches of the mains staircase world’s leading luggage brand has decided to celebrate at the roadshows, located at the Avenues, Marina Mall, course of the Vienna Secession.—AFP Kuwait’s National and Liberation Day with us by releas- 89 Mall. during the exhibition titled “Stairway to Klimt” at the Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) in Vienna. — AFP