Cultural Context Flashcards
Which genres have traditionally been dominated by white, male characters?
Science fiction blockbuster and superhero genres
In the 1990s, which actors broke ground playing black characters?
Will Smith, Denzel Washington and Wesley Snipes.
What evidence is there to suggest Marvel has gained control of the film market for the past two decades?
For the last 15 years, Marvel films have topped the box office
Though these regularly featured many non-white characters, they were often demoted as side kicks.
There have also been very few superhero films with a female lead.
Black cinema has traditionally consisted of issues based on what?
Social realism (attempt to address real situations)
What are some other examples of superhero films that have a black main character?
Films of Spike Lee or Arthouse/prestige pictures such as Moonlight, 2016 and Blade, 1998.
What recent political movement has highlighted the disparity between black and white people in the film industry?
In 2016, the #oscarssowhite movement drew attention to the lack of diversity in the films nominated
How are Africans/African-Americans traditionally represented in the media?
The US/European news media tends to portray Africa as an underprivileged, developing country, focusing on civil wars, famine and terrorism.
The Victorian branding of Africa as the dark continent has not evolved very far.
What are some examples of films from Africa that reach the western mainstream and how do they portray African characters and Africa?
Blood Diamond, 2006 and Captain Phillips, 2013.
Features sympathetic African characters and portrays Africa as a dangerous and barbaric place.
Who proposed the dangerous black stereotype and whem?
Manuel Alvarado Racial Stereotypes theory, 1987, still featuring within contemporary media construction.
(Exotic, pitied, dangerous, humorous)
