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Angela Bassett

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Grief is Not the End

November 11, 2022 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

It was never going to be an easy task.

After death after the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman, the return to the Black Panther franchise became frought with controversy and challenges. Whether it was the rallying cry to recast T’Challa, or simply attempting to create a project that honours the legacy of one of Marvel‘s greatest heroes, the sequel to Black Panther felt like a doomed project from the start. Although the cast was committed to creating something of the highest possible quality, this is almost an impossible expectation to meet under the circumstance. However, against all odds, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is an undeniably touching tribute to the life of Boseman, while still managing to deliver the Marvel goods in an epic way. 

Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever follows the nation of Wakanda as they are left in collective grief over the tragic death of King T’Challa. As reinstated leader, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) informs the world council that, despite the loss of T’Challa, they are very much a nation of power and pride who are willing to embrace the next chapter of leadership. However, when the mysterious aquatic nation of Talokan—led by the powerful Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejia)—asserts their claim to Wakanda’s resources, Shuri (Letitia Write), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje must fight to preserve their home.

Almost strangely, Wakanda Forever feels more internally-focused than other recent entries into the uber-franchise. For example, Coogler has created a film that features all the epic battle sequences that one would expect from traditional Marvel fare. (The battle within Wakanda itself is particularly impressive.) However, at the same time, Wakanda Forever is a film that feels quite content to grapple with its own issues, with no Thanos or Kang-like threat lying in the wings. Marvel is always at its best when character is emphasized over spectacle and Wakanda Forever is surprisingly willing to sit in the quieter moments. As a result, this easily becomes one of the best films in the current phase of storytelling as it allows the characters space to grieve.

A scene from Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.

In a lot of ways, Wakanda Forever is a surprisingly appropriate film to end Marvel’s Phase 4. From Black Widow to WandaVision to even Thor: Love and Thunder, Marvel‘s theme for much of their content during this current phase of the Marvel Universe has dealt with how to recover from grief and trauma. This theme absolutely extends into Wakanda Forever as Boseman‘s death weighs heavily upon the film. Unlike other Marvel deaths, Boseman’s actual passing has left a mark upon both the fictional world and the real-world fanbase, causing difficult decisions for those behind the scenes. Do you recast the character? Change the identity of the Panther? All of these options have been hotly debated in recent years but, thankfully, the film treats his passing with honour and respect. In this vision of Wakanda, the nation mourns the death of their king and desperately searches for a way forward. As such, like other Marvel content in recent years, Wakanda Forever becomes a tribute to the power of legacy, and what it means to heal after a tragic loss. 

(Center): Danai Gurira as Okoye in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.

Although Boseman’s passing weighs heavily on this latest chapter of the story of Wakanda, it is the women who step forward with strength and fury. From Letitia Wright and Lupita Nyong’o to Dani Gurira and the Dora Milaje, the women of Wakanda are determined to protect their home and lead into the future. This is especially true in Wright’s performance as she brings a maturity to her character that was missing in the first film. While the first adventure portrayed her as the ‘kid sister of the king’, Wakanda Forever allows her to grow into a more complex character. (“Someone who has seen as much tragedy as you can no longer be called a child,” M’Baku informs her.) 

However, standing tallest amongst these Wakandan warriors is Bassett. As T’Challa’s grieving mother and the reinstated Queen of Wakanda, she is positively fierce. Broken by grief yet fueled by determination, there’s a passion and fury within Bassett’s work here that feels authentic. Although Wright may be the film’s focus, Bassett remains its heart and soul.

Angela Bassett as Ramonda in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.

And soul is an appropriate term for Wakanda Forever.

Left with an anger created by their suffering and hurt, this is a country (and a franchise) that is looking to rediscover its soul. Determined to soldier on, Wakanda struggles to know what the future looks like, leaving them with a sense of uncertainty. Here, each character lies determined to carry on the legacy of their fallen king, yet remain unsure about how to do so. This is particularly exemplified in the journey of Shuri, who remains broken by the loss of her departed brother. Wrought with anger, there is a recklessness of her character in this film that tempts her to lean into her darker impulses. Without giving any spoilers, Shuri’s emotional journey is the focal point of much of the film as she grapples with the tension between holding on and letting go. 

Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.

This is not to say that Marvel isn’t up to its old tricks in terms of thinking towards the future of the franchise. New characters such as Riri Williams, Namor the Submariner and the inclusion of Talokan are introduced as more foes/allies for Wakanda—and, potentially, the Avengers—in future entries. (What’s more, one can’t help but feel bad for James Cameron as he primes himself to reintroduce another group of blue-skinned, water-based warriors in only a few weeks’ time.) However, what’s most important is that these new characters are not the aspect of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever that resonate after the (post)credits roll. Instead, Coogler has managed to create a proper farewell for one of Marvel’s most beloved heroes while still offering hope for the future.

And, in times of grief, that is always what’s needed most.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is available in theatres on Friday, November 11th, 2022.

Filed Under: Featured, Film, Reviews Tagged With: Angela Bassett, Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Chadwick Boseman, Danai Gurira, Letita Wright, Marvel, MCU, Ryan Coogler, Tenoch Huerta Mejia

Films in Full Colour #5 – SOUL

December 27, 2020 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

We, at ScreenFish, believe that we are all created in God’s image and want to show our support where we can to those in the Black Community who continue to battle against systemic racism. While our team strives for diversity, we can always do better ourselves in giving voice to those who need the chance to speak out and be heard. 

In our series, ‘Films in Full Colour’, we examine films that explore issues specifically within the black community. For each episode, my co-host is Jordan Thoms, pastor of Warden Underground Church in Toronto and our hope is that, through the lens of film, we might be able to shine light on the issues faced every day by African Americans. This week, Jordan and I welcome Enrico back to the show to talk about lost souls and the spiritual power of music in Pixar’s Soul.

You can also stream the episode above on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify or Soundcloud! Or, you can download the ep on Apple Podcasts or Google Play!

Want to continue the conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

Films in Full Colour #5: SoulDownload

Filed Under: Disney+, Featured, Film, Podcast Tagged With: Angela Bassett, Films in Full Colour, Jamie Foxx, Pete Docter, Phylicia Rashad, racial justice, Soul, Tina Fey

Soul: Jazzing through Life Together

December 25, 2020 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

Every now and then, Pixar releases a film that is not just enjoyable or even powerful but truly special. 

Soul is one of those films. 

Directed by Pete Docter, Soul is a film that admittedly feels like it’s been made for adults but kids should still love as well. While Docter’s previous hits Monsters Inc. and Inside Out targeted the fears and dreams of children and youth, Soul takes a more mature approach that places the emphasis on the middle-aged Joe Gardner. While the film makes every effort to incorporate Pixar’s trademark sense of humour and joy, the film’s focus on Joe’s journey makes it noticeably different in its tone. As a result, this is arguably Pixar’s most ambitious piece since Inside Out by attempting to grapple with the spiritual realities of the afterlife in a way that feels authentic but still remains relevant to kids. 

Now airing on Disney+, Soul tells the story of Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx), a middle-school band teacher who yearns for something more. Passionate about jazz music, Gardner wants to be on stage yet he feels stuck. After his sudden death, Joe meets 22 (Tina Fey), a soul who has yet to begin her life on Earth and seems unable to find her ‘spark’. Together, the two fight to help Joe reclaim his life while also helping 22 discover why life is worth living in the first place.

Featuring endearing performances from Foxx and Fey, Soul’s characters feel true to life. As Gardner, Foxx brings a relentless ambition to the character yet never loses his earnestness in the process. Meanwhile, Fey bring an innocence and enthusiasm to 22 that counterbalances Gardner’s cynicism. However, despite solid work from its leads, the stand out performances stem from secondary characters played by icons Angela Bassett and Phylicia Rashad. At every opportunity, Bassett and Rashad steal their respective scenes as they embed their characters with their own unique blend of gravitas and confidence. 

As one would hope, the music of Soul is one of the film’s most inspiring aspects. Featuring a stellar soundtrack by John Batiste, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (?!), the film is a testament to the power of music and its spiritual qualities. In each musical number, Soul showcases music as a transcendent experience that speaks to the very… well… soul of the performer. To Gardner, music isn’t just something he plays. It releases a deep joy within him that transports him into a higher plane. In this way, Gardner interacts with spiritual realm, unleashing an inner creativeness. that (literally here) points to the Divine.

Co-written by Kemp Powers (One Night in Miami), the film is willing to engage African American culture in New York. Beyond the music itself, Soul makes sure to celebrate everyday moments like a quick stop at the barbershop or buying a new suit. Coming in the midst of a year when racial conversations have been brought to the forefront, these subtle inclusions provide the film with an additional layer of importance that inspires the viewer.

In fact, that spirit of the everyday speaks directly into the heart of the film. Though portions of the film take place in the afterlife, Soul is most interested in the way that we interact with the world around us. (In fact, much of the afterlife depicted within the film is shown as either a place of transitioning between realms or preparing for their new life, rather than eternity itself.) By partnering the two souls together, Gardner has the opportunity to reclaim his sense of wonder for the world around him while 22 continues to grow in strength about her new journey. Emphasizing the value of ‘jazzing through life’, Soul understands that there’s beauty in experiencing the moments around us, whether it’s helping a friend or grabbing a slice of pizza. In essence, this is a film which wants to encourage kids to step out and engage their lives while, at the same time, encouraging adults to support them along the way.

What’s most interesting about Soul, however, is the film’s more grounded take on realizing your dreams. For a company that calls us to ‘Wish Upon a Star’, Soul takes an almost anti-Disney approach by pointing out that one can’t always bank on their hopes and dreams to come true. For example, though he yearns to play on stage, Gardner cannot seem to get his ‘big break’. Struggling as a Jr. High music teacher, he lives his life in a constant state of waiting, making endless backup plans in an effort to be ready when his chance at success finally comes. However, in doing so, Gardner is never satisfied with the impact he makes on the lives of others. As a result, he fails to recognize the true beauty of the moment and his place within the world. While never stating that one shouldn’t have ambition, this is a staggeringly sober realization for any animated film, especially from the House of Mouse. (In fact, the film even goes so far as to suggest that those who remain trapped by their dreams can become ‘lost souls’ who never realize their potential on Earth.)

Ambitious and poignant, the spiritual journey of Joe Gardner feels relevant to anyone who has ever felt like their dreams remain out of reach. Though Soul feels more appropriate for adults than youth at times, it’s passion for embracing life is appropriate for all ages. As Joe and 22 work together to find their ‘spark’, the spiritual bedrock bubbles to the surface, challenging and encouraging families at the same time.

In other words, this is a film which knows the power of a Soul.

To hear our conversation with director Pete Docter and producer Dana Murray, click here.

Soul is available on Disney+ on December 25th, 2020.

Filed Under: Disney+, Featured, Film, Reviews Tagged With: Angela Bassett, Christmas Day, Daveed Diggs, Disney, Disney+, Jamie Foxx, Pete Docter, Phylicia Rashad, Pixar, Soul, Tina Fey

4.12 The Power of the BLACK PANTHER

February 27, 2018 by Steve Norton 8 Comments

http://screenfish.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/4.12-Black-Panther.mp3

 

As Marvel unleashed BLACK PANTHER, even they could not have foreseen the incredible impact that the film has had on both the box office and the culture at large! With its lush visuals and healthy portrayal of African-Americans, PANTHER has sparked positive conversations about race and depictions of culture on the big screen. This week, Steve welcomes back Chris Utley and Arnaldo Reyes to talk about the film’s impact and the power telling one’s own story.

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

4.12 Black Panther

Thanks Chris and Arnaldo for joining us!

For those of you in Canada who are interested, you can donate to ScreenFish by clicking the link below and simply selecting ‘ScreenFish’ from the ‘Apply Your Donation…’ area. 

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/connect-city/

Filed Under: Film, Podcast Tagged With: Angela Bassett, Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman, Forrest Whitaker, Marvel, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios, MCU, Michael B. Jordan, T'Challa, Wakanda, Wakanda Forever

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