U know what I just thought of … That mcfreaking iconic photo of zoe saldana casually balancing across chris pratts back with kurt russell doing finger guns in the background ….. that was really somethign
not to be dramatic, but Okoye telling her bitch ass husband she would end him without hesitation when he tried to manipulate her changed me as a person and cured my depression.
“would you kill me my love?”
“for wakanda? No question.”
a woman in my theater: “oH I HEARD THAT!!!!”
Listen. LISTEN. *cups your face in my hands* Listen to me. I have never so perfectly and purely seen a Paladin depicted in a movie as I saw in Okoye. Lawful good to her core. Pure, unvarnished loyalty to Wakanda and her people evident in every goddamned motion. Dignified, graceful, reverent respect for the rules of her country and its greater good.
There is something so beautiful about faith, something that just burns through with a beautiful glow that lights up someone’s eyes and every expression. There is a confidence and a peace that is both palpable and enviable when faith has been tested and come through intact. You could so hear it in her voice.
Personal shit is great, and I’m glad she was seen in a loving relationship. The Lone Woman Warrior trope is worn thin, and I’m sure even thinner for black women who are often not allowed to be lovable people on screen. But the core of the Paladin is ‘there is something greater than I, and I will sacrifice everything for it’, and it was beautiful to not only see that happen on screen but see her proved right, see her win, in one case by not even raising her weapon. She stood firm in her faith and the narrative said yes, it said this is just, it said your very faith will protect you from harm. And she’s not seen as hard or cold edged weapon for that. The imagery around her in that moment is more like a saint or an angel, glowing and reaching out a peaceful hand to a symbol of one of the tribes of her country. Her country loves her back.
Okoye doesn’t just love her country. She doesn’t just serve her country. She doesn’t just believe in her country. She has unshakable faith in an absolute truth: Wakanda Forever.
She is elevated for her faith as much as her skill.
Through the ages, purple has always been associated with royalty, nobility, prestige, mystery, magic, power and luxury. Purple is often used to portray rich powerful kings, leaders, magicians and even sorcerers. The colour purple relates to the world of imagination and the need to escape the practical and everyday life. It’s the daydreamers escape from reality, it assists those seeking the meaning of life and spiritual fulfilment. (x)
Senior concept illustrator Rodney Fuentebella worked on the concept art for Killmonger, King T’Chaka, and Ulysses Klaue…He says getting the opportunity to work on a villain like Killmonger has been a thrill. “I love visualizing the motivations of such a complex character and seeing what I can add using concept art to heighten the director Ryan Coogler’s vision. Michael B. Jordan’s role as Killmonger blew my expectations away and created a character that people will be talking about for a long time,” he says.
“I feel so privileged to be able to work in such a place that stretches my creative muscles and that is so well-loved around the world,” he says. “I’m amazed that movies like Black Panther were created here—[movies] that tell a great story, showcase a world that has never been seen, and have characters that are memorable and resonate with the audience. I still pinch myself that I get to work on these movies and have my concepts be seen by audiences around the world.” (x)
i'll apple your turnover 