Los Angeles, CA — After topping $1.3 billion dollars worldwide and becoming the highest grossing Superhero movie ever in the U.S., the Black Panther movie has firmly planted itself in the echelons of film history. But as the box office has wind down for the movie, its after-market influence is heating up.
A new documentary, appropriately named, “The Aftermath of Black Panther” is being produced that will explore the impact the film, Black Panther, has had on the movie-going audience, especially children, not that they’ve left the theater and gone back to their lives. Lena Claybon, Writer, Producer and Co-Director of the documentary says her aim is to find out if African-American youth were able to `get’ the important social and cultural messages addressed in the film and, if not, use the platform to have open dialog involving these themes and messages.
“Very seldom do we get a film like this that contains so many positive takeaways for urban youth, not only the obvious one of being able to identify with a Superhero that looks like them, but, also the positive female images that were presented, the depiction of black excellence in science and technology and just the pride in being African-American.”
“I know some kids `got it’ but we want to make sure that we reach as many as possible.” says Claybon. According to a recent study, the high school dropout rate among African-American males is the highest of any group, 40% (and in some cities as high as 50%. “So, a movie like this that shows a nation of color dedicated to excellence in education is much needed. We want to help keep the conversation going and not let these very important messages in this film lose their significance.”, says Claybon.
According to Claybon, the movie has definitely had impact. For instance, in Kansas City, the I AM KING FOUNDATION (iamkingfoundation.org), an organization whose mission is to educate, inspire and empower young men to become community leaders, says that the Black Panther movie has made a huge impact in their organization. “We talk to our Kings about the power of the `Vibranium’ that lives within.” says, Chris Evans, it’s Executive Director. He says that even though they know it’s not a real metal, the youth leaders use the concept of something being that powerful and unbreakable to teach kids about their own inner strength. He says he’s noticed that the kids carry themselves differently and are more confident in who they are. Chris and his organization will be featured in the documentary.
“We hope by young people seeing this documentary, they will be able to take away a new understanding and appreciation for the movie, their own culture and their own identity.” says Claybon.
Claybon and her team have partnered with Frederick Joseph, Founder of The Black Panther Challenge, on this project. Joseph, who initially raised $42,000 to take the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem to see the Black Panther movie, spunned a movement across the country after he issued the Challenge to others to do the same. Ultimately, over $900,000 was raised through crowdfunding nationwide to take underprivileged kids to see the film. Joseph serves as the documentary’s Executive Producer.
The production team is hoping to raise $150,000 for the documentary through crowdfunding as well. “We hope the same audience that loved the movie will appreciate what we are doing with the documentary and support it as well.” says Claybon. “I think the movie was great and I thank Marvel for putting it out but we have an opportunity here to make this movie count for something more than just making Marvel rich. We can use it as a catalyst to help our youth. It’s the best use of art I can think of so we would appreciate all the help we can get in making it happen.”
To support the documentary, go to: igg.me or go to www.indiegogo.com and search “The Aftermath of Black Panther”.
About the Filmmaker:
Lena Wilson Claybon is an award-winning Television & Film Writer/Producer/Director. She is a 20-year veteran in the entertainment industry committed to telling compelling stories about the African-American experience, women’s rights issues and social examinations. Her work has screened at the Pan African Film Festival, the San Francisco Black Film Festival and her short film, `THE MYTH’ which she wrote, directed, and co-produced was featured on Showtime. She also wrote narration for the documentary, “THE RIPPLE EFFECT” produced by Aperio Productions. Her series work has included USA Network’s CLAUDE’S CRIB, teen hit show MOESHA, TLC’s, THE REAL ESTATE PROS and nationally syndicated court shows, TEXAS JUSTICE and JUDGE KAREN’S COURT. In 2012, Lena was invited back to her alma mater, Grambling State University, as a “Visiting Artist” where she taught Film Studies as part of their Mass Communications curriculum. While there, she founded GSU’s first ever Film Workforce Training Program where students had the opportunity to work alongside film professionals on a professional production where they received mentoring and hands-on training. Claybon continues mentoring youth through her involvement with various community organizations. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.