Introduction
The Woman King is a 2022 historical action-adventure film about the Agojie, the all-female warrior unit that protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey during the 17th to 19th centuries. Set in the 1820s, the film stars Viola Davis as a general who trains the next generation of warriors to fight their enemies. It is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Dana Stevens, based on a story she wrote with Maria Bello.
Black Panther is a 2018 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the 18th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film was directed by Ryan Coogler, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Robert Cole, and it stars Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther alongside Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Sterling K. Brown, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis. In Black Panther, T’Challa is crowned king of Wakanda following his father’s death, but he is challenged by Killmonger (Jordan), who plans to abandon the country’s isolationist policies and begin a global revolution.
Both films feature powerful African leaders and warriors who face external and internal threats to their kingdoms. Both films also explore themes of identity, culture, history, and politics. However, there are also significant differences between the two films in terms of genre, tone, style, and accuracy. In this article, we will compare and contrast The Woman King and Black Panther to see how they relate to each other.
Genre
The Woman King is a historical film that is based on true events that took place in the Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. The film depicts the real-life exploits of the Agojie, also known as the Dahomey Amazons or Mino, who were an elite group of female soldiers who fought for their king and their nation against invaders and slavers. The film also portrays the historical figures of General Nanisca (Davis), her daughter Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), King Ghezo (John Boyega), and his son King Glele (Jimmy Odukoya). The film aims to honor the legacy of these women and their culture, as well as to raise awareness of their history that has been largely ignored or erased by colonialism and racism.
Black Panther is a superhero film that is based on a fictional character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1966. The film is part of the MCU, a shared universe of films that are inspired by Marvel Comics characters and stories. The film introduces Wakanda, a hidden but advanced African nation that has developed its own technology and culture based on vibranium, a rare metal that came from a meteorite that crashed on its land thousands of years ago. The film follows T’Challa (Boseman), who inherits the mantle of Black Panther, a warrior and protector of Wakanda, after his father’s death. He faces challenges from Killmonger (Jordan), his cousin who was raised in America and wants to use Wakanda’s resources to liberate oppressed people around the world by force. The film also features other characters from the comics such as Nakia (Nyong’o), Okoye (Gurira), Shuri (Wright), M’Baku (Duke), Zuri (Whitaker), and Ulysses Klaue (Serkis). The film aims to celebrate the diversity and richness of African cultures and diaspora, as well as to explore themes of responsibility, loyalty, justice, and revolution.
Tone
The Woman King is a serious and dramatic film that depicts the harsh realities of war and slavery in Africa during the colonial era. The film does not shy away from showing the brutality and violence that the Agojie faced from their enemies, as well as from their own king who exploited them for his own gain. The film also shows the emotional struggles of Nanisca and Nawi as they try to balance their duty as warriors with their personal desires as women. The film has moments of humor and joy that highlight the bond between the mother-daughter duo and their fellow soldiers, but it also has moments of tragedy and loss that test their faith and resilience. The film has a realistic and gritty style that emphasizes the authenticity and historical accuracy of the story.
Black Panther is a fun and adventurous film that showcases the wonders and possibilities of Wakanda and its people. The film has a lot of action and spectacle that highlight the skills and abilities of the Black Panther and his allies, as well as the beauty and innovation of Wakanda’s technology and culture. The film also has a lot of humor and charm that come from the witty dialogue and charismatic performances of the cast, especially Wright, who plays T’Challa’s genius sister and inventor. The film has moments of drama and tension that explore the conflicts and dilemmas that T’Challa faces as a king and a hero, but it also has moments of hope and inspiration that show his growth and vision for the future. The film has a colorful and vibrant style that reflects the diversity and creativity of the story.
Style
The Woman King is a historical film that uses a lot of practical effects and locations to create a realistic and immersive experience for the audience. The film was shot in South Africa, where the production team built sets and props that resembled the architecture and artifacts of Dahomey. The film also used real horses, weapons, costumes, and extras to recreate the battles and ceremonies of the Agojie. The film employed stunt coordinators, choreographers, trainers, and consultants who taught the cast how to fight, ride, dance, speak, and behave like the Dahomey warriors. The film also used some visual effects to enhance some scenes, such as adding more soldiers or fire, but they were kept to a minimum to maintain the authenticity of the film.
Black Panther is a superhero film that uses a lot of visual effects and sound design to create a fantastical and thrilling experience for the audience. The film was shot in various locations around the world, such as Atlanta, South Korea, Zambia, Uganda, Argentina, and Australia, where the production team used green screens, motion capture, CGI, and drones to create the landscapes and elements of Wakanda. The film also used real actors, stunt doubles, costumes, makeup, and props to bring the characters and their gadgets to life. The film employed composers, artists, musicians, singers, linguists, and cultural advisors who created the music, art, language, and rituals of Wakanda. The film also used some practical effects to ground some scenes, such as using real cars or explosions, but they were mostly overshadowed by the visual effects.
Accuracy
The Woman King is a historical film that is based on true events that took place in Dahomey during the 1820s. The film follows the main events and characters that are documented in historical records, such as the war between Dahomey and Oyo, the existence and exploits of the Agojie, the roles of Nanisca, Nawi, Ghezo, Glele, Izogie (Lashana Lynch), Amenza (Sheila Atim), Malik (Jordan Bolger), Santo Ferreira (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), N’Jobu (Sterling K. Brown), Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Zuri (Forest Whitaker), Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis), Linda (Nabiyah Be), River Tribe Elder (Isaach De Bankolé), Mining Tribe Elder (Connie Chiume), The Migan (Sivuyile Ngesi), Tanonu (Riaan Visman), The Meu (Seputla Sebogodi), The Meunon (Angélique Kidjo), Shante (Jayme Lawson), Ode (Adrienne Warren), Tara (Chioma Antoinette Umeala), Cindra (Siyamthanda Makakane), Esi (Shaina West). However, the film also takes some creative liberties with some details and aspects of the story for dramatic purposes or artistic expression. For example:
– The film exaggerates some aspects of Dahomey’s culture and society, such as its wealth,
– its military prowess,
– its gender equality,
– its religious diversity,
– its political stability,
– its technological advancement,
– its artistic expression,
– its environmental sustainability,
– its humanitarian values.
– The film simplifies some aspects of Dahomey’s history and politics,
such as its relations with other African kingdoms,
its involvement in the Atlantic slave trade,
its resistance to European colonization,
its internal conflicts and rebellions,
its succession crises and coups,
its social stratification
and oppression.
