Black is the new Gold if the Oscars are anything to go by. There were big wins for Black Panther securing three Oscars and BlacKkKlansman which won best adapted screen play. While the Marvel mega-hit showcased Africa’s greatest superhero from Wakanda, the film from the prodigious black director, Spike Lee, is based on the true story of an African American detective who infiltrates the white supremacist movement, the Ku Klux Klan.
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Green Book won best Motion Picture and earned Mahershala Ali the Best Supporting Actor award. This movie focuses on race relations in the Deep South of the United States in the 1960’s and is based on the true story of African American jazz musician, Don Shirley.
The hype around Bradley Cooper’s tragic romantic drama A Star is Born didn’t secure the film as many Oscars as originally envisaged- although co-star Lady Gaga did walk away with the Oscar for Best Original Song “Shallow”.
Rami Malek won best actor for his role as Freddie Mercury, the front man of British rock band Queen, in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.You may not know this but even Malek has African roots. He is a first-generation American whose parents hail from the North African country Egypt.
Best Documentary Feature went to Free Solo a riveting account of daredevil rock climber, Alex Honnold, on his quest to climb the treacherous vertical rock formation, El Capitan, in Yosemite National Park. This is one for adrenalin junkies and will soon be on National Geographic available on black. Fitting with the theme of the Oscars these movies are available to watch on premium entertainment streaming serviceblack, or will be coming soon.
“This is brilliant timing. South Africans can watch these fantastic movies and see why they are so deserving of Academy Awards”, says black’s PR Manager, Precious Nkabinde.
Available to rent right now are Black PantherandBlacKkKlansmanand A Star is Born, while Bohemian Rhapsody is on pre-order.
Black Panther’s three Oscar wins included Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Original Music Score. This is the first film in Marvel Studios history to have a superhero of colour, and this alone makes Black Panther worthy of an Oscar. It additionally weaves in much more than the average superhero movie – like the narrative on family loyalty and community responsibility – coupled with wittiness, sarcastic humour and extraordinary visual effects.
Ruth E Carter created Oscar history as the first woman of colour to win Best Costume Design for Black Panther. Catch it now on black.
BlacKkKlansman
BlacKkKlansman was nominated for six Academy Awards and walked away with the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Based on a true story, BlacKkKlansman sheds light on Ron Stallworth, the first African-American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department in the 1970s. He sets out on a mission to expose the Ku Klux Klan by recruiting a colleague to infiltrate the group. The interesting bit is that in real life, Stallworth IS STILL ALIVE. For those who do not know what he did, now would be the time to find out. His impact and contribution to America’s history is meaningful in the way he went about trying to change the status quo through his job. The struggle of one man’s fight against an oppressive system in America is symbolic of South Africa’s own painful apartheid history and the journey for change especially with Human Rights day coming up. BlacKkKlansman, which is directed by Spike Lee, is currently available to rent on black.
Image Courtesy: Supplied
