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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 17 February 2018
The women of 'Black Panther' take center stage

By LINDSEY BAHR Queen Mother Ramonda.
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) Danai Gurira, 40, is Okoye,
— Scientist. Warrior. Queen the head of a special
Mother. Spy. These are just forces unit called the Dora
a few of the job titles of the Milage. Oscar-winner Lu-
women of "Black Panther," pita Nyong'o, 34, is Nakia, a
now playing nationwide. spy, and newcomer Letitia
None of them are fight- Wright, 24, is Shuri, the sec-
ing over a guy, or need- ond in line to the throne be-
ing one to save them. They hind T'Challa and the top
are fierce, proud, intelli- scientist in Wakanda.
gent and capable. And, in They are essential both to
the case of Danai Gurira's the fabric of Wakanda and

This image released by Dis-
ney -Marvel Studios shows,
from left, Danai Gurira, Lu-
pita Nyong'o and Florence
This image released by Disney -Marvel Studios shows Letitia Kasumba in a scene from
Wright in a scene from "Black Panther." "Black Panther." Gurira says
Associated Press the representation of women
in “Black Panther” is important
character Okoye and her the story itself. for young girls to see.
Associated Press
fellow Dora Milaje fighters: "I think it's exciting for the
Bald and rocking a bold lip minds of young children. All the creator of the popular
while protecting the nation children need to see that website Black Girl Nerds,
of Wakanda at the highest anyone can be anything, said just the fact that black
level. women can be the head This image released by Disney -Marvel Studios shows Chadwick female action figures are
No wonder they've practi- of an army and black and Boseman, left, and Angela Bassett in a scene from "Black Pan- being made is of enormous
ther."
cally upstaged their male bald," said Gurira. "When I Associated Press import.
counterparts. was a kid, and right up un- “Representation in media
Director Ryan Coogler til just now, these images supporting each other see) how much more ef- is a real thing,” Gurira said.
and Marvel recruited an were not there. That, to me, and even arguing with fective a society can be if “How many little Shuris out
army of actresses of vari- is so vital." each other, having differ- we allow women to explore there are being denied
ous backgrounds and ages Nyong'o marveled that ent points of view, but not their full potential.” their opportunity to make
with pedigrees fitting of none of the women are pit- being against each other The cultural impact of just this world a better place
their characters. Angela ted against one another. and that’s incredibly im- the female characters because they’re girls and
Bassett, 59, plays T'Challa/ “We see women going portant,” Nyong’o said in alone cannot be under- not allowed to reach their
Black Panther's mother, about their business and a press conference. “(We stated. Jamie Broadnax, full potential?”q

Amazon: 'Transparent' star Jeffrey Tambor out of series

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ama- said in a statement. "I am ed, I deeply regret if any
zon Studios says "Transpar- even more disappointed in action of mine was ever
ent" star Jeffrey Tambor Jill Soloway's unfair charac- misinterpreted by anyone
won't be on the series when terization of me as some- and I will continue to vehe-
it returns for its fifth season, one who would ever cause mently defend myself," he
prompting the Emmy win- harm to any of my fellow said.
ner to denounce what he cast mates. In our four-year The claims against the ac-
called false accusations history of working together tor were made late last
and the studio's handling on this incredible show, year by Tambor's former
of the matter. these accusations have assistant and an actress
The decision, confirmed NEVER been revealed or on "Transparent," which is
Thursday by an Amazon discussed directly with me about a transgender wom-
spokeswoman, followed or anyone at Amazon." an and her family.
the conclusion of an inter- Tambor said he is left to sur- Tambor, 73, won two
nal investigation into sexual mise that the investigation Emmy Awards for his role
misconduct allegations. was flawed and biased by as a retired professor who
"I am profoundly disap- a "toxic politicized atmo- is transgender and transi-
pointed in Amazon's han- sphere that afflicted our In this Sept. 16, 2017 file photo, Jeffrey Tambor attends the BAFTA tions late in life, and the im-
dling of these false accusa- set." Los Angeles TV Tea Party in Beverly Hills, Calif. Associated Press pact that has on her grown
tions against me," Tambor "As I have consistently stat- children.q