Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o has become the first black person to lead the Berlin International Film Festival jury.
The yearly film event, called the Berlinale, is one of the top five film festivals in the world.
The event has never had a black person leading the jury in its 74-year history, organizers told AFP news agency last year.
Nyong’o will choose the best films in the Golden and Silver Bears categories.
At the start of the event in Germany’s capital on Thursday, Nyong’o said she felt very honored to take on the position.
She said having different kinds of people on the jury would make the decision-making about which films to give awards to better.
“The amazing thing about bringing people from different backgrounds together is that we all have different reactions and responses,” said the actress, who won an Oscar for her role in 12 Years A Slave in 2014.
We have a lot of experience from around the world and we have some interesting opinions. It might also be hot and spicy.
When Berlinale chose Nyong’o as jury president in December, the festival’s directors, Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian, said Nyong’o was picked because she represents what we admire in movies, with her ability to act in different ways and appeal to different audiences.
The event will continue until February 25th, when the judges will announce the winning movies in the main categories.
Three African entries are part of 20 entries competing for the top prize, and they all tell stories from Africa.
They are showing movies like Black Tea, Who Do I Belong To, and the documentary Dahomey at the film festival.
“Black Panther Wakanda Forever” made its long-awaited world premiere Wednesday night in Hollywood, with director Ryan Coogler and the film’s star-studded cast paying tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman.
The Marvel sequel takes place following the death of Boseman’s King T’Challa, with the people of Wakanda — especially Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright), War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and M’Baku (Winston Duke) — grieving their loss and searching for a way for their kingdom to endure.
As T’Challa’s death plays a major role in the story of “Wakanda Forever,” Boseman’s absence during the evening’s premiere cast a shadow over the celebration.
Amid great speculation that Shuri will assume T’Challa’s mantle of the Black Panther in “Wakanda Forever,” Wright shared her feelings about creating a sequel without Boseman on the carpet.
“I’m bracing,” Wright told Variety. “I’ve seen some members of Chad’s team. When we lock eyes, we know how this feels. We have to take a step away. I see my aunt locking my eyes with me, she’s very proud. I have to take a step away…It’s emotional. We’re trying to hold it together.”
Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige shared his own thoughts on Boseman, expressing gratitude that they were able to work together, even if it was for all too brief a time.
“I got to have him in my life for the short time that I did,” Feige shared. “More importantly, he did it at such a young age, such a body of work, that it will last forever. Generation after generation after generation will get to feel his presence.”
Feige was also greeted by Coogler during his interview, offering some glowing praise for the filmmaker on his big night.
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“He’s one of the best people I’ve ever met, one of the best filmmakers,” Feige said. “Maybe the best person I’ve ever met.”
“This is hyperbole! This is hyperbole right here,” Coogler laughed, before offering some kind words in return to Feige. “Incredible producer!”
Along with returning cast members, new entrants to the world of Wakanda include Michaela Coel as Aneka, a captain and combat instructor in the Dora Milaje, and Dominique Thorne, who makes her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Riri Williams a.k.a. Ironheart, as well as representatives for the kingdom of Talokan, led by Tenoch Huerta Mejía’s Namor, one of Marvel’s oldest characters.
In the comics, Namor has been both a friend and a foe; it seems Coogler and co-writer Joe Robert Cole have found a way to demonstrate both sides with this antagonist.
Like Marvel Cinematic Universe entries, much of the plot for “Wakanda Forever” has been shrouded in secrecy.
One major news item was revealed early Wednesday though, when Disney confirmed that Rihanna would sing an original song written for the film, titled “Lift Me Up.” The song marks Rihanna’s first new music in six years.
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“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” hits theatres on Nov. 11.
Source:myjoyonline.com
