This is the Black Panther (Wakanda Forever) Storyline that Happens in the Real World?
The MCU film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever which marks the end of Marvel's phase four has captivated Marvel lovers after Black Panther 2018. There are many aspects of this film that have caught the attention of film critics and writers.
Quoting Digital Spy , Tuesday (22/11/2022), this film contains things related to colonialism and African traditions that are in accordance with the real world. Black Panther : Wakanda Forever takes the audience on a journey of geopolitics and world history.
After the death of King T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman), the family and nation of Wakanda must bury their main protector. Those present were seen wearing white clothing, which consisted of various dresses, coverings and headdresses.
All in attendance, including T'Challa's mother, Ramonda (Angela Basset), who later became Queen (again), and her sister Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright), were also seen wearing white face makeup, a striking feature of funerals in Africa.
Alongside the procession, as T'Challa 's coffin is carried, people can be seen singing and dancing, with some Wakandans playing the drums. This procession was finally followed by a group that appeared and danced.
For those unfamiliar with African funeral traditions, the scene is colored with distinction. Ramonda, Princess Shuri and close family friends are all grieving the loss of their loved ones.
While simultaneously being surrounded by what appears to be a joyous celebration. That's because King T'Challa got a traditional African burial ceremony.
The African tradition of dancing and singing at funerals goes back generations, with funerals seen not as an occasion to grieve alone, but to celebrate the lives of the recently deceased and celebrate what they fought for.
Colonialism
In addition, colonialism is also a historical aspect that is consistently seen in this film.
What sets the imaginary country of Wakanda apart from its African neighbors is that it has never fallen prey to the powers of European imperialism or colonialism, taking a step back from the reality we live in.
Wakanda offers viewers a glimpse into an African nation and people untouched by colonialism.
The themes and motifs of colonialism are vividly depicted in Wakanda's concentration of Vibranium, a rare metal that is the source of this nation's scientific and technological progress.
It was also the reason why they remained hidden from the world. However, the ending of Black Panther hints that Wakanda intends to become involved in international affairs, shifting from its traditional position of isolation
Exploitative Interests
The events of this sequel paint a different picture. At a United Nations meeting, one year after T'Challa's death, Queen Ramonda is chastised by the US Secretary of State for not fulfilling their promise to become involved in international affairs.
The French even claim that Wakanda hasn't shared their vibranium with the rest of the world and that they use it to make weapons of mass destruction.
The actions of these former colonial nations strikingly reflect the paternalistic white racism that lay behind African colonization.
These ideas were put into practice in the exploitation of the African continent, with France playing a key role in the Scramble for Africa and the Americas periodically driving instability in the newly independent African nations to serve their own interests.
The practice of hiding exploitative interests behind well-meaning ideas and taking care of one another is a historical reality.
As well as the belief that the people of Wakanda cannot be trusted to oversee such powerful material alone, so in order to protect them, the more deserving nations of Europe and America must have access to the precious resource.
Queen Ramonda dismissed both arguments quickly, and blamed France for the failed attempt to steal vibranium at a Malian outpost the night before.
Vibranium
The subtle but reflective touches add to the authenticity of this film. 結局のところ、アメリカ人やヨーロッパ人がワカンダやビブラニウムにまったく関心を示さなかったらおかしいでしょう。
Overseas exploitation of Africa's mineral resources is an ongoing and widespread historical fact that cannot be ignored.
Although the film is fictional, its incorporation of colonialist practices makes it a genuinely engaging watch and reminds readers that this fictional plot has happened, and continues to happen, in real life.
This film proves that 'sensitive' topics such as colonialism can be successfully included in blockbuster and popular films without overpowering or undermining their quality as entertainment.
