Most of those who watched the movie and were spoken to by Friday Treat at the Ibadan and Lagos Imax premiere said that it was an awesome experience. A movie critic, Tope Odanye, particularly was elated at the majorly Black cast of the movie. In the United Kingdom, many stars invited to a special screening of Black Panther also described it as ‘beautiful’ and ‘powerful’.
Marvel’s latest superhero film sees a majority Black cast taking on both its leading and supporting roles. Chadwick Boseman stars as T’Challa, the king of a fictional African country yet to be discovered or colonised. Rapper and Roll Deep member J2K said the film is ‘full of aspiration and it’s inspirational too’.
In the UK, the screening was organised by BBC Radio 1Xtra and guests include musicians, DJs, social media stars and other people considered influential in the Black community. Among them were UK rappers Avelino and J2K and social media commentator Rants N Bants. Some stars of Black Panther, UK actor Letitia Wright, Michael B. Jordan and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o were present.
Lupita is asked how important it was to her that Africa was seen globally in a positive light. She said: “I wanted to be an actor because I wanted to tell stories about people who look like me, but I was starved for these kinds of images as a child and so it’s a mandate of mine to really demystify what it means to be African.
“I’m a child of the continent and I feel like I’m a citizen of the world and I’m modern and urban and I value my traditions and when [director] Ryan talked to me about this script I was so floored by how full of integrity his story was going to be.”
Irish-Nigerian broadcaster Emma Dabiri said it would take some time to digest what she’d witnessed but she was looking forward to taking her son to see it.
“I feel completely overwhelmed I’ve never seen anything like that in my entire life. That whole idea of how an African country might be if it hadn’t been colonised the whole idea was so bold. It was just radical and beautiful.” She added it was an important film for people of all colours to see
Social media commentator Rants N Bants says the movie energised him so much he wanted to hit the gym straight after.
“The screening was mad. Everything I expected and better, I feel great. I want to go Jujitsu and workout. The film spoke volumes it was beautifully written. Growing up I was told I can be anything I wanted to be but for people growing up who weren’t told that, this will give them the belief 100 per cent.”
Sope Aluko in Black Panther
Nigerians finally get a stake in Marvel Studios with the release of one of 2018’s most anticipated movies, Black Panther. Black Panther follows T’Challa’s return home after the death of his father in Captain America: Civil War as king of Wakanda but finds his sovereignty challenged by a long-time adversary in a conflict that has global consequences.
The movie which is expected to release in Nigeria on February 16, 2018 boasts of a 90% black cast including Sope Aluko. Married and the mother of two (2) teenage boys plays the role of Shaman, a powerful primal leader who calls upon nature spirits for aid or guidance in Black Panther.
Nigerian-born but primarily raised in the UK, Sope started out with an undergraduate degree in Engineering and a master’s degree in Marketing. While in the UK, Sope attended drama classes at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) and extended her study into dance.
After a very successful career in the corporate space, the multi-linguist (speaks four languages including Yoruba) returned to acting and performing. Since then, she has played recurring roles on Netflix’s “Bloodline”, NBC’s “Law & Order SVU” and guest appearances on USA Network’s “Burn Notice” “Lifetime’s “Army Wives” amongst others.
Her film credits include supporting roles in feature films like Identity Thief, Pitch Perfect 2, 96 Minutes, Grass Stains,
Black Panther stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan; Academy Award® winner, Lupita Nyong’o; with Academy Award® nominee, Angela Bassett; and Academy Award® winner, Forest Whitaker.
Sope is currently filming another Marvel film, set to release in late 2018 and looks forward to working in Nollywood.
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