Filmmaker Terry Gilliam's Comments on Black Panther are Loud, Wrong, and Racist
If Stan Lee were alive, he would probably call Terry Gilliam a “low IQ yo-yo.”
Imagine being a White, male director nearing the end of 2019 and telling everyone on the internet that the film, Black Panther, based on the Marvel comic, gives Black kids unrealistic expectations about Africa. That’s exactly what the Monty Python director, Terry Gilliam did.
There’s a difference between having genuine criticisms about a film and just being a racist twat. We all have opinions. And disliking Black Panther does not make someone racist. What makes Gilliam racist is his why.
I hated Black Panther. It makes me crazy. It gives young black kids the idea that this is something to believe in. Bullshit. It’s utter bullshit. I think the people who made it have never been to Africa. They went and got some stylist for some African pattern fabrics and things.
First, let’s dissect this drivel. Gilliam, who directed fantasy escapist films like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Time Bandits, and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen doesn’t have a problem with fantasy. He has a problem with fantasy giving hope to Black kids. This dude works in fantasy but has a problem with Black Panther not being realistic for Black kids. I cannot stress enough how stupid he sounds.
Then, he comes for the director, Ryan Coogler and world-renowned, award-winning stylist, Ruth E. Carter saying they’ve probably never been to Africa. Coogler spent an insurmountable amount of time visiting Africa to research for the film.
Haper’s Bazaar rightfully describes Ruth Carter as being “synonymous with power, femininity, and unapologetic blackness.” To design the unique and gorgeous, afrofuturistic costumes, Carter researched various African tribes. Her more than 30 years as a highly-sought legend means she does the work everyone wants.
Gilliam’s dismissal of the hard work, research, and abilities of Black filmmakers is problematic and shouldn’t be ignored. His ignorance deserves to be called out. And he deserves to be recognized for the racist he is.
If you’ve been living under a rock and have no idea what Black Panther is about, here’s a quick breakdown of the comic and the film.
Black Panther first appeared in Marvel Comic’s Fantastic Four #52 back in 1966. Though some people were worried that calling King T’Challa Black Panther would be seen as being aligned with the Black Panther Party, Stan Lee fought for Black Panther to keep his name because it was vital for Black people to be seen at that time.
King T’Challa is the ruler of the fictional, African country, Wakanda. Wakanda is an advanced country, hidden from the rest of the world, having evaded European colonization. Their scientific marvels, intelligence, and society show what could have been without White colonization. This was incredibly huge, especially during that time when mainstream media were still trying to decide whether Black folk deserved equal rights in what was supposed to be the freest country in the world.
The 2018 film, Black Panther brought that fantastic world to life, not just for today’s Marvel fans, but for the kids of the 60s, 70s, and 80s who read Black Panther and dreamt about that world becoming a reality.
And for someone like Terry Gilliam to say, “It gives young black kids the idea that this is something to believe in” as if it were a bad thing, is reminiscent of the racists slaveowners warning to not let Black folk read because “You don’t want to give them any ideas, now.”
Some comic fans will try to say politics has no place in comics, and many tried to say Marvel was getting too political. They obviously hadn’t been paying attention. Stan Lee and Marvel Comics have always been activists and used comics to promote equality, to fight hate, and give young kids, especially young Black kids without representation, inspiration.
Comics create a whole other world full of possibilities and wonderment. For a Black girl growing up in Philly, Black Panther, Storm, and DC’s Wonder Woman were part of my escape to a place better than where I was. I was a lonely 80s kid whose mother joined the military, having to leave me behind, in order to provide a better life for me. I didn’t understand that at the time. All I knew as an 8-year-old was that my mom was gone. Comics helped me to feel better, to feel powerful. And it does so for millions of kids.
Black Panther was the first time Hollywood brought Afrofuturism to light. For years, Hollywood steered clear of Black leads in comic-based films that incorporated anything to deal with Black culture. It’s often been echoed that Hollywood didn’t think a Black lead or an all-Black cast for a major franchise would do well overseas. Well, that was proven wrong.
Terry Gilliam’s comments are more than just a stupid opinion. They’re something far more disgusting and sinister. Stan Lee would probably call him a “low IQ yo-yo.” So, not only is this article a refutation of Gilliam’s disgusting but also to celebrate a man whose light will continue to outshine any darkness from the likes of Gilliam and others. Stan Lee. Lee would be 97 years old today. May his power live on and continue to inspire kids all over.
Happy Birthday, Stan Lee.
