In case you haven’t paid attention, Black Panther, the Marvel’s new film, is a Very, Very Good Movie. Not only is the blockbuster superhero outing a cinematic triumph, it’s a highly important one too — a defining moment for the cultural conversation in America, with an ensemble of critically-acclaimed, predominantly black cast commemorating black identity, beauty, and excellence, as well as female strength in a billion-dollar genre that doesn’t typically represent the themes well.
The success of Black Panther isn’t something that the movie industry can ignore either. The movie has effectively become the top-grossing film in history by a black director, and it’s set a record for garnering the best first-day advance ticket sales out of all the Marvel movies. Plus, it’s also on the path to becoming one of the studio’s highest-grossing Marvel flicks. On review aggregation site RottenTomatoes, it scored a 97 percent certified fresh rating, making it on track to taking the title of the highest superhero “Tomatometer” ever.
On the ground, the hype is absurdly phenomenal, with astonishingly long lines forming outside cinemas during Black Panther’s opening weekend in the US. Screenings turned into full-on jamborees filled with homages to African culture through song, dance, and fashion.
Excited about the #BlackPanther screening? What will you be wearing to watch this epic movie
AskAccra #Ylounge on @Y1079FM #WakandaFever pic.twitter.com/XDzFum6Y4D— #EbonyReignsForever (@AkosuaHanson) February 15, 2018
Black Panther screenings are lit 😂😂😂 #BlackPantherpic.twitter.com/W3SVntViK4
— Denizcan James (@MrFilmkritik) February 16, 2018
Right after watching #BlackPanther in Bloem 🙌🏾 #BlackPantherMovie pic.twitter.com/7bPAqztkAe
— Thandeka💛 (@Thandi__K) February 16, 2018
Though a world away from the United States, the black community in Singapore made sure that they too got in on the fun by decking themselves out in their finest garb, inspired by the fictional African nation of Wakanda. BlackNet Singapore — a local networking organization for black professionals — set up a private screening of Black Panther at The Projector last Thursday in a celebration of the historic Hollywood blockbuster.
Sure, it wasn’t an all-out lit AF affair as it was beyond our shores, but it was pretty regal nonetheless. Take a gander at some of the best shots from the night pre- and post-screening, and check out the rest of the photo gallery here.
