Now Showing: Bashenga: The Black Panther

 

Bashenga: The Black Panther

Genre: Action / Superhero / Historical

Director: Steve McQueen

Writers: Jimmy Ellis & Mark Newton

Based on Marvel Comics Characters

Cast: Kelvin Harrison Jr., Rufus Sewell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Chad Coleman, Lovie Simone, Jay Will, Sheldon Sheperd, Peter Mensah, Masali Baduza, Jermaine Fowler, Ola Rapace, Genevieve Nnaji, Kofi Siriboe

Plot: We open with narration by Bask (Lovie Simone), she tells the story of Mosi (Kofi Siriboe), a shaman warrior, in ancient times that possessed the ability to speak with Bast (Genevieve Nnaji), the African Panther Goddess. This ability led to Bast entrusting him with the greatest power of them all... the power of The Black Panther. Mosi used this power to save his people from devastation, an enemy known as Abawileyo (The Fallen). After the defeat of Abawileyo, the people of the neighbouring tribes came together in peace and harmony. However, there came a time when Mosi knew his time would come to an end, a vision that Bast continued to show him, one of pain and death, one that even The Black Panther could not stop. One day a meteorite crashed down to Earth, wiping out everything that Africa held dear, but it left something behind. A great mound of an unknown metal, a metal we now know as Vibranium.

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Assembling at a rock that takes shape of the Panther Goddess Bast, is the leaders of the tribes that surround the great mound of Vibranium. Bashenga (Kelvin Harrison Jr) leader of the farming tribe, W’Tene (Sheldon Sheperd) the leader of the river tribe and Imabe (Peter Mensah) the leader of the cave tribe, all gather at said rock. The three of them have brought two warriors of their tribes in case of an attack, but there has been great peace in this land for generations. The three of them discuss the great mound, Imabe questions whether their minds have been changed in regard to mining it, since the last time they talked. He continues in saying that the mound has spoken to him, telling him that the resources will create prosperity for those that use it. M’Towa, leader of the Jabari tribe, walks into the meeting place, he seems frustrated that the three of them would be meeting without his council. Bashenga apologises, but he has seemed distant lately, they did not want him to feel obliged to come. W’Tene interervenes saying they know his mind on the matter is made up, that the rock should not be tampered with. M’Towa says that mining this mound, that caused such destruction may be the end of their civilisations as they know it, they do not know the effects that it can have on them. After all it has remained untouched for 1500 years, so why change that now. An argument breaks out between M’Towa and Imabe mainly, with both men the ones that are adamant about their side of the argument. W’Tene and Bashenga look to each other, deciding that they will take the night to think, and they will all meet once more come sunrise.

Bashenga is being escorted by two warriors by foot back to their home lands. The men continue to follow him once they enter but he turns to them, asking if a man cannot walk freely on his own lands, the two men bow to him and leave him be. He continues his walk until he arrives at a homestead. Upon arrival he is bowed to by his wife, Onea (Jodie Turner Smith). She hugs her husband, telling him that his sister has been telling stories to their children again. His children run towards him, and he raises them in the air, hugging them. In a playful voice he asks if Bask has been telling them of their great ancestor Mosi. The two children nod, Bashenga tells them he would love to hear all about it.

W’Tene floats down river on his boat, following the river until he comes upon the stead of the river tribe. Wonderful, rounded huts surround the river, with the rooves hanging over head. Women fish in the river for food, with everyone that looks on seeming peaceful in their ways. W’Tene continues down river, approaching a lookout. He walks up to Amba (Jermaine Fowler), a man with a lip plate and spear. W’Tene asks if the invaders have moved any closer. Amba responds that the smoke has billowed no less, without movement. Smoke can be seen rising in the distance from fire in the trees.

Ulysses Klaw (Rufus Sewell), captain of a Dutch slaving ship, lands on the western coasts of the great continent of Africa. He readies his crew of former Dutch naval forces to storm the nearby jungle for a village where they will collect native savages to sell into slavery. Klaw leads then march into the dense green foliage. Once they locate the village, Klaw tells his men to surround the village as quietly as possible. One of Klaw's soldiers is frightened by a large ball python hanging from a tree and screams out. This alerts the villagers, who begin arming themselves with spears. Klaw changes his orders, yelling for his men to swarm the village, stealth be damned. They fire upon the natives with spears, easily dispatching them. Klaw and his men then go through the village, tying and cuffing the surviving men, women and children of the village. As they begin marching the line of slaves back toward the ship, Klaw grabs a torch and sets fire to the village. The fire soon spreads to the jungle surrounding the village. Rubber trees catching fire create a pitch-black smoke that fills the air, visible from great distances away.

Bashenga is out feeding the animals of the tribe, he walks and throws food. He is approached by his wife, Onea. She questions his decision at tomorrow’s meeting. Bashenga says he isn’t sure about his decision, but he is sure that Bast will guide him into making the right one.

M’Towa walks toward his throne in the Jabari Village, saluted as he enters. He immediately calls out for his son N’Kotan (Jay Will). N’Kotan approaches him and bends a knee, before rising again. M’Towa lets N’Kotan in on what the council is talking about. He adds that those that believe in the false god, Bast aim to mine The Great Mound. M’Towa continues, Ghekre the Ape God has shown him a vision, if the mound is used it will bring great misery to all. N’Kotan asks where he comes in. They must stop the others by any means, save their own kind. N’Kotan nods, accepting what his father had said.

Sunrise the next morning, the meeting is taking place, Imabe, M’Towa, W’Tene and Bashenga gather. Everyone’s mind is made up except for Bashenga, he hears both parties out. Bashenga eventually sides with Imabe and W’Tene, leading to M’Towa getting furious. Bashenga ensures him that it is nothing personal, he wants to see everyone flourish. M’Towa has heard enough, he calls for N’Kotan who comes diving in with a spear. He stands over Imabe as two more Jabari come out with spears and hold it to the throats of Bashenga and W’Tene. M’Towa claims he didn’t want it to come to this but he has no choice. W’Tene smiles in the face of the spear, Amba comes to his aid knocking the spear away, this allows distraction for Bashenga, who uses the opportunity to disarm N’Kotan and the other man with his spear directed at him. They throw the spears away as Imabe, Bashenga and Amba take on N’Kotan and the other two Jabari. After a long hand to hand battle, Bashenga and N’Kotan are left standing. Bashenga tries to calm the situation, telling N’Kotan and M’Towa that there is no need for war, among one another, they can live in peace. M’Towa speaks saying the only way for peace is to not mine the mound. He does however order N’Kotan to stop and they are to return home.

Bashenga and W’Tene help the others to their feet, as they do they hear footsteps approaching, W’Tene turns Amba’s spear on the man that runs toward them. The man falls to the ground and before passing out, asks for their help. Bashenga asks for help from W’Tene and Imabe to take the man to the border tribe. Upon arrival Bask immediately tends to the man’s wound, a gun shot. They all wait around conversing about the great mound and the potential invaders coming to their land. After the man comes to they begin asking him questions. He tells them of the men that are invading, white men, taking them to ships and away from their land. They all look to each other, the man tells them that their tribes need protection now more than ever. Imabe mentions that recently his boy had come across a heart shaped herb, one that is rumoured Mosi had before he became a saviour. They continue to talk, with only one plant, who gets it. W’Tene suggests a battle of champions.

Klaw stands with a few of his men, with a telescope, he looks through to see the border tribe, he continues to the left and sees the great mound of vibranium. He turns to his left asking Bartholomew Krewd (Ola Rapace) what the great mound is. Krewd tells him that the many villages around have told stories about a meteor that had crashed to the earth wiping out civilization millennia ago, it is an unmined resource that scientists believe could hold the greatest answer to many questions.

The RIver, Border and Cave tribes gather at Warrior Falls, no Jabari in sight. W’Tene has selected Amba as his champion, Imabe offers up his niece Benzeke (Masali Baduza), a skilled combatant, and Bashenga, being the only hunter/warrior in his tribe offer himself as warrior. The Shaman (Omoni Oboli) leads a ceremony before the fight, blessing all three warriors and reminding them it is a fight to the death or to yield. The Shaman lights an herb, once the smell fills the air the battle shall begin. The three combatants all ready themselves. Amba tightly grips his spear. Benzeke steadies her weapon of choices, a stone axe. Bashenga, meanwhile, spins a staff. All three champions smell the aroma of the herb at the same moment and leap into battle. Benzeke, knocks Bashenga off his feet with her axe. At the same time, Amba then slashes at Benzeke with his spear, slices her across the cheek. Bashenga brushes himself off as Amba and Benzeke square off. Bashenga slides between the two with his staff held across his body, tripping them both. Amba drops his spear, which is picked up by Bashenga. Benzeke hits Amba in the chest with her stone axe, crushing his chest. Amba, unable to breath after the axe's blunt strike, yields - leaving just Bashenga and Benzeke left to compete. Bashenga uses the sharp edge of the spear to slice the stone off of Benzeke's axe, rendering it a mere stick. In a rage, she charges at Bashenga, wildly swinging what is left of her axe at him. Bashenga uses his staff to counter the strikes, and with his other arm stabs Benzeke in the arm with Amba's spear. Benzeke falls to the ground. She asks Bashenga to kill her as she does not the shame of yielding. Bashenga stands over Benzeke with the spear drawn and aimed at Benzeke. She closes her eyes, ready to die for the honor of her tribe. Bashenga refuses to kill Benzeke, telling her that she fought admirably but that he knows it is his destiny to consume the heart-shaped herb and be Wakand'a champion. Benzeke decides to yield and Bashenga helps her back up to her feet.

Meanwhile, Klaw has invaded the border tribe, with no warriors in the tribe they all surrender with little fight, Klaw taking them hostage. Klaw takes a particular interest in Bask and grabs her for his own. Onea stands and with a disgusted look delivers a speech to Klaw that rocks him. She says that they will go with them, but they will never belong to them. Their hearts will always be here in their villages and their tribes. He throws Bask to the ground and holds Onea by her chin, smiling. Klaw then talks to Krewd, he wants to go to the mountain and mine it. Bask overhearing this draws a sign to Bashenga in the ground, showing the great mound.

Bashenga lies down with The Shaman. The Shaman begins a chant in mother tongue as she crushes the heart shaped herb and feeds it to Bashenga. Bashenga almost instantly is transported to a place called the ancestral plains. He is greeted by both Mosi and the Panther God Bast. Mosi smiles and places a hand on Bashenga’s shoulder. Bast looks into Bashenga’s eyes, transporting him once more to the great mound. He sees The Great Mound, the meteorite consisting entirely of vibranium that had landed in Wakanda, was brimming with immense energies that it had picked up during its travels through outer space. Soon that energy would cause a cataclysmic chain reaction. To stop the chain reaction, Bashenga needs to forge two weapons out of pure vibranium: the sword Skybreaker and a spear. Bashenga snaps back out of the vision, returning to The Shaman, he knows what must be done.

Klaw and Krewd, with all of the border tribe in tow, arrive at the Great Mound. Seeing the immense rock, Klaw immediately turns to Krewd, he tells him that they must mine it. Klaw has Krewd and his men begin to strike at the mound with everything they have. The first few men with pickaxes, they immediately break due to the immense power of the Vibranium. Bask simply laugh at the men as nothing they try works. Onea tells Bask to stop her laughing when Klaw commences a walk toward them. Klaw looks to the women and asks them why they think this is humorous, the two of them will now lead the mining. He picks Bask up and throws her toward the great mound, throwing an axe next to her. Onea tells him to stop, he will not make a mockery of any member of the border tribe. She stands and goes face to face with him, with Klaw striking her across the face. A tear falls from Onea’s eye, but she stands back up and continues to stare deep into the soul of Klaw. Laughing Klaw turns to his men, “she’s a feisty one men”.

Bashenga moves briskly through the quiet plains toward the border tribe. When he arrives, he is stunned by the empty silence. He scans the signs of struggle aroud the village. He notices a pattern carved into the dirt - a rough depiction of the Great Mound with a arrow pointing west. Recognizing it as Bask's handiwork, Bashenga realizes that his people have been taken.

Bashenga travels to each remaining tribe. When he arrives at the river tribe, he gives W'Tene the news of his tribe's capture. W'Tene summons Amba and a handful of other warriors, preparing to join Bashenga. The next stop is the Cave Tribe. Imabe, is hesitant of another battle at this time, but agrees that the threat of the invaders is too great to ignore. Bashenga leads the march, following a trail of clues left by Bask.

At the Great Mound, Klaw stands looking at the Vibranium meteorite as it radiates energy. He watches with frustration as pickaxes fail to make a dent in the material. Krewd protests the futility of their effort. Klaw tells him that the Vibranium is worth more than all the slaves on the continent combined, and that with its wealth he will build a kingdom - a nation where he is king, and the savages will be nothing but tools to serve him. Krewd continues to grumble, stating that Klaw has gone mad. Klaw grabs a Wakandan spear and drives it into Krewd's chest. The other men recoil in shock as Krewd's body collapses to the ground. Klaw steps over the body of his former right-hand man and asks if anyone else is prepared to question his authority. The men shake their heads and get back to work. Klaw drags Bask over to the large meteorite and gives her an axe. He tells her to give her people an example of hard work. Onea steps forward in protest, but she is slapped across the face by Klaw. Klaw continues to watch as the Vibranium continues radiating a glowing energy.

Under the cover of night, Bashenga and his warriors approach Klaw's camp. When Bashenga reaches the captured villagers, he signals to Bask, who quietly rouses the others. The freed villagers move like shadows through the camp, slipping past the guards and into the safety of a nearby jungle. Bashenga, W'Tene, and Imabe stay behind with the warriors, preparing to strike.

When the first war cry pierces the air, Klaw's men scramble to their weapons. The Wakandan warriors, armed with spears and shields, descend on the camp. Bashenga leads the charge, armed with a Vibranium spear. Amba and Benzeke fight side by side, cutting through Klaw's men. Klaw, armed with a musket, fires into the fray. Bashenga finds Klaw at the base of the mound. Klaw is not able to fire the musket as it jams. Bashenga stabs Klaw in the hand with the spear. Klaw screams in agony. As the remaining villagers and warriors regroup, the sound of horns echoes through the jungle. Reinforcements from the Jabari, River, and Cave tribes arrive. Klaw, seeing the united Wakandan army, orders his men to retreat, but he takes Onea as a prisoner. The Vibranium mound begins to radiate uncontrollably. Bashenga uses the spear to channel the Vibranium's energy back into the earth. As the mound stabilizes, Bashenga realizes that his bride Onea is nowhere to be found.

Bashenga realizes that Klaw must have taken Onea and charges toward the shoreline. He witnesses Klaw and his men board their ship as he reaches the water's edge. The ship's cannons fire at Bashenga as it begins to pull away from the shore. Bashenga doesn't hesitate. He leaps through debris, dodging cannonballs that crash into the sand around him. As the ship moves farther out into the water, Bashenga sprints to a smaller canoe tied to the shore. He rows toward the larger ship as cannonballs crash into the water around him, rocking the canoe violently. He rows harder and reaches the ship. He leaps onto its deck. The crew attacks. He fights through them until he reaches Klaw, who draws a sword and swings violently at Bashenga. The ship begins taking on water from damage as they continue to fight. Bashenga manages to knock Klaw over the ship's railing. As Klaw holds on for dear life, Bashenga frees Onea. They leap overboard and safely swim to the shores of Wakanda where the unified army waits.

Days later, the tribes gather to crown Bashenga as the first official king of Wakanda. At the ceremony's end the entire nation bows before Bashenga. Benzeke offers her service to Bashenga as he leader of a new elite guard - the Dora Milaje. Bashenga accepts, knowing it is in the best interest of Wakanda.

Post-Credits Scene:

On a tiny desolate island in the middle of the sea, Klaw sits on the sand helpless and alone. He stares out at the horizon, rubbing the knub where his hand used to be.