Film Industry

 

In order to help you write a case study about the film I have created a series of questions and research tasks. If you answer each of these then you will have covered the essential information. You will need to conduct research to make sure your answers are informed.  Ideally you will have watched the film. If not here are some clips to help you to understand the content.

 

Black Panther is the 17th film in the ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe’, the highest-grossing film franchise in history. It was directed by Ryan Coogler (Creed) and released in February 2018.

• • What is a film franchise?
  • Why is the Marvel franchise the most successful film franchise in history?
  • Who is the primary target audience for Marvel films? 
  • Which are the five highest grossing 'Marvel' Films?
  • Marvel is a subsidiary of which conglomerate?
  
  
  
  The film shows us the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda, which has avoided European colonisation and achieved a technological superiority through the use of a mineral called Vibranium. T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) must fight a number of foes who oppose him becoming king after the death of his father. 

   

  • Why set the film in a fictional African Kingdom of Wakanda?
  • What binary oppositions (Levi-Strauss) are set up in the narrative?
  • Why is the use of a valuable mineral used in the narrative?
  • How does colonisation link with Hollywood? 
  • How is the narrative of colonialism commenting on the American film industry?

   

  Black Panther was extremely successful. The film broke records for the highest opening weekend in the USA, and also performed well globally. The film has grossed well over $1 billion worldwide, with 48% in non-US countries.

   
  • Why do you think the film is so successful in terms of box office?
  • What are the current box office figures ? (Use IMDB)
  • How does the film appeal to a global audience?
  • How does the film appeal to an American audience?
  • Which OSCARS did the film win? 
  
  Conduct research into the following areas and explain them fully.  Your ability to explain each area will show that you have processed the information. Use these clips as starting points. 
  
  The Black Panther movement
  
  The Black Panther Party (October 1966-82) was a political activist group established initially to provide armed monitoring of police behaviour and prevent police brutality in the US. It was controversial, with many Panthers being arrested or killed in confrontations with police.
  
  
  The Harlem Renaissance
  
  
  During the early 20th century, African- Americans attempted to establish a new black cultural identity with movements such as the Harlem Renaissance.This was mostly a literary and artistic movement celebrating African American culture.
  
  Black Lives Matter Movement
  We have studied this before in relation to 'Formation'. Ensure that you are familiar with its development in American society and the reasons for its instigation.
  
  
  
   
  Afro-futurism
  
  
  The cultural movement of ‘Afrofuturism’. 

  'A social, cultural and political philosophy that dates back to the 1950's, reclaiming black history by positing an alternative future. ' For the first time people can identify with an African super hero which is a radical shift in representation from a past history of the genre dominated by white Americans.

  
  

  #oscarssowhite meme 

  This meme drew attention to the lack of diversity in the films nominated for OSCARS.  This was widely discussed and the lack of representation in Hollywood films has been addressed to some extent.  However, it is a live debate and you need an opinion and an understanding about how things have progressed over time.

   

   

  
  News Values 
  You have studied changing representations of Africa in charity adverts 
  
  
  
  US/European news media tends to portray Africa as an under-priviliged, developing country, focusing on civil wars, famine and terrorism. The Victorian branding of Africa as ‘the Dark Continent’ has not evolved very far. Very few feature films from Africa reach the Western mainstream, and films like Blood Diamond (2006) 

  and Captain Phillips (2013),

  Though featuring sympathetic African characters they still portray Africa as a dangerous and barbaric place.

   

  Find another three films which portray Africa in this light.  

   

  There is a common theme in Hollywood films where a male character is the hero in a foreign land despite being the only white American in the film.

   

  The Constant Gardener is set in Africa

  The Last Samurai is set in Japan. 

   

  A criticism of both is that they place the Western character as the hero or saviour which can be intrerpreted as culturally imperialist.