After watching Black Panther, I gave it a glowing review. I discussed the cultural significance of the film in the light of the lack of diversity that Hollywood & the film industry at large has often struggled with. Its rapturous embrace globally indicated how important this film was in this regard.
On top of that, it championed African culture in a media landscape that often depicts Africa as this dying, barely functioning continental cesspit. Wakanda, whilst a fictional country, highlighted the real beauty of Africa in its costume design, language and other aspects. It made for a film that resonated with many and the commercial success showed that great representation has financial value for films.
As an instalment in the Marvel franchise, looking outside of its cultural significance, the film was a great addition as well. It had a compelling villain, which is something of an Achilles’ heel for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The costume design was incredible. How it weaved in real African design into the futuristic and high-tech fictional land that is Wakanda was incredibly well done. It was a stark change to the often Westernised films that we’re so used to in Marvel. The fighting scenes were also well done, with the powers of Wakanda’s forces along with Black Panther himself being well executed. The film was generous with its jaw-dropping action scenes.
It shouldn’t be a surprise then that the film was often being brought up as a serious contender for the Oscars, especially after its nomination for Best Picture became a reality. Winning at the Screen Actors Guild Awards has only served to increase the hype around the film’s Oscar run. Despite the clamour and desire for its success, is Black Panther winning the Oscars a good thing?
Oscars So White
It wasn’t so long ago that #OscarsSoWhite was trending worldwide after the the list of nominees came out. It was one year too many that people of colour were left wondering where their accolades were. People had had enough and the backlash was swift and significant.
Celebrities also waded into the argument, calling on Hollywood’s suits to do better in not just recognising non-white talent at award shows but also when casting roles for various films. Numerous award shows had winners using their time on stage to champion the cause, with some celebrities boycotting events entirely.
Since the Oscars So White debacle, the prestigious award show has been sensitive to the issues and the film industry as a whole has had diversity brought to the fore. Black Panther showed that diversity can make money and win fans, so the argument surely became more palatable for industry executives.
Moonlight winning an Oscar in 2017 was a milestone for the fight for diversity and considered a turning point in the industry. Naturally, the fight was seen as won, and the next big issue that had been bubbling for years was raised.
Wonder Woman
Black Panther is not the first time a super hero film was used as a tipping point on issues around diversity and representation. Wonder Woman led the way for championing the issues women faced in the industry with a woman being the director and a strong female lead.
Much like Black Panther, conversation grew to a crescendo around the film needing to win best picture, best director and a host of other accolades across various award shows. Wonder Woman was a great film in a franchise that has been starved of good storytelling but to think it deserved an Oscar is a stretch. Even the idea that its female lead was a strong one loses its legs when you recall that (SPOILER ALERT) the man ultimately saved the day, as per usual.
When it came to Wonder Woman, people conflated cultural significance for quality. What Wonder Woman did for the conversation around representation for women specifically was huge and it should absolutely be praised for that but to think that was worthy of a Best Picture win is outrageous
Black Panther is a cop out
Black Panther was a fun film with much cultural significance but even amongst just Marvel films, it failed to break into the top ten based on quality. Much like Wonder Woman, it has an important place in film history and will be remembered for what it did for representation, but to think it is Oscar-worthy takes things across the line.
One can argue that nominations such as these actually hurt those championing diversity and representation within the film industry. It mocks truly worthy filmmakers, actors and actresses of colour and ultimately turns diversity in a pandering exercise as opposed to an progressive moment that benefits all. Black Panther’s nomination undermines everything the film has done and stood for in the industry, even more so if it ends of going over the finish line and outright winning it.
As much as any award show is always going to have subjective views on who deserves to win and who doesn’t, trying to shoehorn diversity for the sake of it is detrimental to everything that so many people have worked so hard for and championed. When Moonlight won, there was no questioning its brilliance and critical acclaim. Black Panther’s nomination feels like an award show with a declining audience grasping desperately for relevance and appeal amongst younger audiences. We deserve better. Black Panther deserves better.
Last Updated: February 15, 2019
SagatatiaRZA
February 15, 2019 at 11:19
I really enjoyed it but yeah for me personally it just wasn’t the best film out last year. Not even top 5.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 15, 2019 at 11:20
That hits the nail on the head.
Original Heretic
February 15, 2019 at 11:29
It’s not pandering. It’s panthering.
Admiral Chief
February 15, 2019 at 11:39
Ho ho ho
Original Heretic
February 15, 2019 at 11:39
I am NOT a ho. I don’t screw for money, I do it for fun.
So I’m actually a slut.
Admiral Chief
February 15, 2019 at 11:39
Slutshaming yourself, ok then
Pariah
February 15, 2019 at 11:39
He’s just beating everyone else to it. Just like in bed. 😛
Admiral Chief
February 15, 2019 at 11:50
xD
SagatatiaRZA
February 15, 2019 at 12:44
Critical hit
Original Heretic
February 15, 2019 at 11:39
What shame? You mean stuff the world expects me to feel? Eh, fuck’em.
Besides, what shame is there in enjoying sex? Seems like ‘merican thinking to me.
Pariah
February 15, 2019 at 11:50
“Eh, fuck’em”. Literally what a slut does, so yeah we got that bit. 😛
Original Heretic
February 15, 2019 at 11:50
Yup, that was intentionally tongue in…CHEEK! Tongue in cheek.
Pariah
February 15, 2019 at 11:50
XD
Guz
February 15, 2019 at 11:59
What cheek thou 0.o
Original Heretic
February 15, 2019 at 12:07
Asking the important questions.
Admiral Chief
February 15, 2019 at 11:39
Nice write up, spot on.
Also, OSCARS SE MOER MAN, so much butthole kissing and honestly, I never follow it.
Black Panther was not a strong Marvel movie, but as a cultural thing, I can see why people like it.
It is the ONLY Marvel movie I’ve only seen once. It was fun, but nowhere near as much impact and OEMF as some other Marvel movies
Guz
February 15, 2019 at 11:59
I think the only people that care about the Oscars are the actors/ess’s them selves. I don’t think Joe soap gives a rats tail about who does or doesn’t get one
RinceThis
February 15, 2019 at 11:39
Yup. Shoehorning a movie like Black Panther into nominations like this does a huge disservice and create a negative space.
Caveshen Rajman
February 15, 2019 at 11:50
Nail on the head my dude.
I’ve been saying for years that pandering is not the same as progress, and as a brown person myself I would think my voice carried some weight but that’s a big ol’ nopey nope because other (let’s be honest, mostly white) people were of the opinion that any progress is progress, and I just don’t think I agree.
Black Panther was a cultural revolution, and every person who walked out of that cinema felt like a better version of themselves than the version that walked in earlier. But it didn’t solve racism, and it did very little to advance the conversation. It was just a cool tribute to African culture that ended like any other Marvel movie, with a big ugly mirror match.
Wonder Woman was very much the same, and I would argue that just like Black Panther it kept to the core of its promises, ie. it introduced the world to the Greek-Amazon lore, introduced Diana as a character and a presence in this universe, and resolved her story in a way that would make sense for Diana – it too, however, devolved into a big ugly mirror match by the end.
They’re both movies that fall victim to the same thing, which is the need to (sell toys and) have a satisfying summer blockbuster ending.
Now I don’t really care for the academy awards or any of the awards shows really, especially when you have to pay to be in the running, and the voting consists of people secretly campaigning using paid promoters, it’s all a bit shady to me. But I get that the world doesn’t see it this way, so if we must have award shows, let’s be transparent about why movies are nominated, and let the world decide.
I just wish the world would think for a second instead of just eating up the pandering. Alas.
Yondaime
February 15, 2019 at 12:34
Main man Glenn dropping the Truth Hammer once again! Ultra spot on.
CrAiGiSh
February 15, 2019 at 13:14
Escape goat …
For the Emperor!
February 15, 2019 at 13:15
Very much pandering in my opinion. I really liked it (top 5 MCU for me), but the quality etc are not in line with normal Oscars movies. This smells like a move to avoid another Will and Jada “fake outrage boycott” scenario…
Gardos
February 15, 2019 at 14:14
I don’t like Marvel movies (shock, horror). Haven’t enjoyed the ones I’ve watched and now I don’t bother with them. Despite this, I watched Black Panther and enjoyed it. I watched it because it seemed like a breath of fresh air. It seemed compelling in a way other Marvel movies haven’t been for me.
Does that mean it was objectively a good film? Not a clue. But it did achieve something every other Marvel movie has so far failed to do and it got me interested and had me enjoying it. Might not count for much, but it’s got to count for something. Perhaps that’s where its value lies.
Does that make it Oscar-worthy? Above my pay grade.