Monty Python Director Terry Gilliam on Black Panther: “I Hated Black Panther. It Makes Me Crazy.”
Jorge Arenas
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Famed Monty Python director Terry Gilliam recently discussed his hatred for Marvel Studios’ Black Panther.
In a recent interview with IndieWire, Gilliam explained why he hates the film.
“I hated ‘Black Panther.’ It makes me crazy. It gives young black kids the idea that this is something to believe in. Bullshit. It’s utter bullshit.”
Related: Black Panther Star Letitia Wright Chides Access Media for Leaving God Out of Her Comments
Gilliam added, “I think the people who made it have never been to Africa. They went and got some stylist for some African pattern fabrics and things.”
He would continue, “But I just I hated that movie, partly because the media were going on about the importance of bullshit.”
According to IndieWire’s Ryan Lattanzio, Gilliam would be asked “if he felt that critical praise for Black Panther was a politically correct response that ignored aesthetics in favor of identity politics.”
Gilliam responded saying, “It makes my blood boil.” The conversation would then apparently transition to Gilliam’s comments he made during the onset of the Weinstein scandal.
Gilliam stated, “We’re in the era of the victim. We are all victims. It’s all somebody else, abusing us, taking advantage of us. We are powerless, except except that we go out and do other things.”
Similar to Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola’s criticism of Marvel films, Gilliam would express his dislike for their dominance at the box office.
“I don’t like the fact they’re dominating the place so much. They’re taking all the money that should be available for a greater variety of films.”
Related: The Godfather Director Francis Ford Coppola on MCU: “It’s Despicable”
However, he did described the films as “brilliant” from a technical stand point.
“Technically, they’re brilliant. I can’t fault them because the technical skills involved in making them are incredible.”
He would also add:
“If you are that powerful, you should be dealing with reality a bit more.”
Related: Rumor: Namor the Villain for Black Panther 2
Gilliam would then provide a lengthy critique of Marvel films and the idea that everyone can be a superhero.
“What I don’t like is that we all have to be superheroes do anything worthwhile. That’s what makes me crazy. That’s what these movies are saying to young people. And to me it’s not confronting the reality of, you know, the quote-unquote human condition. You know what it is like to be a normal human being in difficult situations and resolving them surviving.”
He adds, “I can’t fault them for the sheer spectacle, except it’s repetitive. You still have to blow up another city.”
He would then continue with his critique:
“Where’s the gravity, where’s real gravity? Because [in superhero movies,] everything is possible. It’s the limitations that make life interesting. Okay, so your suit burns up. So you get another suit because you’re Tony Stark. It’s not enough. They dominate so much.”
He would then return to his point about superhero films sucking up all the money at the box office and thus where studios are putting their resources when it comes to film production.
“There isn’t room or money for a greater range of films. You make a film for over $150 million or less than $10 [million]. Where’s all this other stuff? It doesn’t exist anymore. I make films where I’m trying to make people think. I mean, I try to entertain them enough that they don’t fall asleep on me, and they’re there to make you think and look at the world in a different way, hopefully, and consider possibilities. Those films don’t do that.”
What do you think of Terry Gilliam’s take on Black Panther and Marvel movies in general? Does the Monty Python Director have a point when it comes to Black Panther’s rosy reception from critics?