Kasumba: "I hope everybody can say they have the feeling that they're being represented out there"2/14/2018 As we creep ever so much closer to the release of Black Panther, I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with German Ugandan actress, Florence Kasumba, who picks up with her role as Ayo in the film. We might remember Kasumba from Captain America: Civil War with her iconic introduction of the Dora Milaje with "Move, or you will be moved". Courtesy of OkayAfrica, our interview, spanning no longer than 25 minutes features insight to Black Panther's infectious excitement, which, according to Kasumba, was also felt on set. Check out my latest, now available and fresh off the press at OkayAfrica. Florence Kasumba on the Impact of Black Panther: 'We're Telling a Story That Hasn't Been Told Before'I caught up with Kasumba during a press session at the 6th Annual Schomburg Black Comic Book Festival in New York City. I admit that having the opportunity to speak with "Move Bae" was nerve-recking, but as we continued into our Q&A session, I could hear that there was so much excitement in the air not only at the festival, but also for this movie, and her own career as well. Kasumba's American film resume isn't deep. In fact, most of her film experience is overseas and on television. In the states, she's had her roles in Emerald City and is headed towards her third Hollywood film in three years. This movie itself is major for her career. "I would end up, after weeks, writing 'Greetings from Wakanda' because I spent a lot of time on set." Kasumba told me. It's the representation, I would have to deduce, that makes people so excited about this movie. That Hollywood gave a 31-year-old director the wheel to direct The Marvel Cinematic Universe's vivid depiction of a fictitious African culture that doubles up as an isolationist country with the most technologically advanced culture and the rare and important metal in the world: vibranium. From Captain America's shield, to Ultron's body, and of course the Black Panther suit, Wakanda is a vital element to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (you've seen how much of Wakanda is featured in the Avengers: Infinity Wars trailer, right?). But it's the casting that is so important. Not just A-listers like Angela Bassett, Forrest Whittaker, Chadwick Boseman (who will eventually go on to play Chadwick Boseman in the Chadwick Boseman biopic), but also African actors/actresses like Lupita Nyong'o, Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out), and our new fave Florence Kasumba. I got the sense that the experience has been extremely exciting as well as humbling for Kasumba, and I think that's what makes her my new favorite. On an international platform, she spoke of family and friends in Uganda being excited about having her as a representative, and I couldn't help but feel as though this movie carried a form of Olympiad representation. In its own diversity on set, Marvel's Black Panther may be on the right step to setting a precedent, not just for Black movies, but for all movies.
"Now times are changing, and I want to see Asian superheroes. I want to see heroes who represent where they come from so people can say 'That could be me'." Kasumba told me. Asian movies may very well be next. Hollywood has received quite the backlash for the amount of movies set in Asia that cast White men as lead roles. From The Great Wall to Deathnote to Ghost in A Shell, the interest in Asian films and adaptions is minimal because how few opportunities there are for Asian actors and actresses. Black Panther's precedent may show us that it's not only is it the way it should be done, but it's also a win on a variety of fronts, including the financial one. In its first weekend, there are questions of whether Black Panther will break records set previously by James Cameron's Titanic and Avatar. If so, it's a win for Disney and Marvel Studios, but unequivocally for the actors/actresses. It would be a major break for Kasumba, Kaluuya, and many of the other international actors involved. I look forward for continuing to watch Kasumba's American career grow and to see her kick some ass in Black Panther. Down the line, you can also expect to hear her voice in the live-action Lion King, set to release in 2019 alongside Donald Glover, J.D. McCrary, and Beyonce. Congratulations to Florence, to the Schomburg Center for their 6th Annual festival, and a major thanks to OkayAfrica for this awesome opportunity. It made for one hell of a birthday gift.
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