Image Portrayal of Africa on International Screens: Case Study of “Black Panther” and “Operation Red Sea”

Abstract

In recent years, with the continuous development of the international film industry, China’s film industry has also entered a new pattern of opening up and development in all aspects. In its “Going Global” trend, the Chinese movie industry has demonstrated a certain level of maturity in term of storytelling and technology mastering. Among others, the 2018 Africa’s narrative based Chinese movie “OPERATION RED SEA” stood out above all with a daring story and wonderful scenes. Despite of being eyes-catching and heart-touching, the movie conveyed to the global audience an Africa’s image of war, desert and pirates. In the same year was released another uncommon Africa’s narrative-based movie “BLACK PANTHER”, by the well-known American movie company Hollywood. “BLACK PANTHER” quickly became a milestone in the American movie history due to its subversion of the longstanding Hollywood tradition of “white leading role, black supporting role” as well as the “white super-heroism” dominant tendency. However, “OPERATION RED SEA” and “BLACK PANTHER” are nothing but the reflection of differences and preferences of Chinese and Americans in the image portrayal of Africa, which still are far from being the original conception of Africa as experienced by African people themselves. Therefore, the key question of how to improve the narratives of Africa on international screens comes to mind. Furthermore, what can the Chinese Movie Industry draw from the longstanding American experience of Africa’s narration? And how can the Chinese and American together with the African movies industries, work hand in hand to improve Africa’s image portrayal international screens?