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 The Walt Disney Co movie, which features a predominantly black
cast, is set in the fictional African nation of Wakanda. It
tells the story of the new king, T'Challa/Black Panther
(Chadwick Boseman), who is challenged by rival factions.
Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, is also a cultural powerhouse
that boasts the continent's biggest film industry, known as
Nollywood. Lagos is the country's filmmaking hub.
At a screening of Black Panther on Friday in Lekki, an upmarket
district of Lagos, Nollywood stars mingled with TV personalities
and locals. The showing was one of a number of screenings in the
city this week.
Most people were dressed in traditional Nigerian robes and
gowns, with some opting to wear specially made attire in keeping
with the film's futuristic take on African garments.
"Black Panther is a film that celebrates black excellence.
Bringing it to Nigeria is especially exciting," said Bolaji
Kekere-Ekun, a 33-year-old filmmaker.
"The people who made the film were very specific about the
references they used in relationship to Africa. They are pulling
from the best fashion and art," he said.
The fictional African country is depicted as a verdant land with
stunning waterfalls where spacecraft designed like tribal masks
soar over a modern metropolis.
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The portrayal of Wakanda as a futuristic, wealth-laden nation was
welcomed by local actress Ijeoma Grace Agu, who used body paint and
a two-piece outfit as a homage to the film's fashion aesthetic and
said she was excited to watch the film.
"For once we are not just dressed in slave clothes or doing slavery
or brutality. For once we are dressed in good clothes," said Agu.
Directed by black director Ryan Coogler and featuring actors
including Michael B. Jordan, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong'o and
Forest Whittaker, the film has received widespread critical acclaim
after years of criticism about the under-representation of black
people in Hollywood.
"Seeing us exude power and strength, seeing our culture, our high
fashion sense portrays us in a different light," said Agu.
(Editing by Sandra Maler)
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