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PEOPLE & ARTS Monday 18 February 2019

‘Black Panther’ costume designer blazes trail to inspire

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. themed costumes to the-
Associated Press aters and at parties. Some
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ruth people are even discussing
E. Carter is a black woman dressing in Wakanda cou-
blazing a trail as a costume ture for an Oscar brunch.
designer in a film industry “I’m very proud to have
with not many who look given these children a
like her. But through her new superhero,” she said.
upcoming career achieve- “I’ve met young ladies that
ment award and Oscar have built their costumes
nomination for her Afro- with their father and went
futuristic wardrobes in the into great detail about
superhero film “Black Pan- how each part was made.
ther,” Carter believes she I just felt like there was a
can “knock down” more paradigm shift. ... We just
doors so others like herself wanted to do something
can walk through them. positive that was impactful
If Carter wins an Oscar for and meaningful for peo-
best costume design this ple. You never know how
month, she would become it’s going to be received or
the first African-American looked at, but we felt like
to win in the category. De- it reached everyone, not
spite “very stiff competi- In this Jan. 15, 2019 photo, designer Ruth E. Carter, nominated for an Oscar for best costume only African-Americans.”
tion,” Carter believes she designs for “Black Panther,” poses for a portrait in Los Angeles. Carter got her first start
has a good chance going Associated Press in 1988 on Lee’s “School
up against Mary Zophres, ira, who starred in “Black Carter called the guild hon- Boseman’s heroic charac- Daze,” the director’s sec-
Alexandra Byrne and three- Panther” as Okoye, one or an “incredible achieve- ter T’Challa aka the Black ond film. They’ve since
time Academy Award win- of kingdom of Wakanda’s ment” for herself and oth- Panther. She said she’s worked together on
ner Sandy Powell, who is elite warriors. “I’ve adored ers who desire to follow worked with Carter on more than 10 films includ-
nominated for “The Favou- her from the minute I met her footsteps. “This award other films, calling her “just ing “Do the Right Thing”
rite” and “Mary Poppins Re- her. She deserves all the means so much to me,” warm, open, brilliant and and “Jungle Fever.” She’s
turns.” honors in what she’s done she said. “I believe that I she keeps fighting until she also worked with Robert
“I’m a contender,” said and accomplished in her will stand on that stage and gets it right all the way to Townsend on “The Five
Carter, who already won astounding work of beauti- look out into the audience the end.” Heartbeats” and Keenen
for “Black Panther’s” cos- ful integrity.” of young women and men Carter drew inspiration for Ivory Wayans on “I’m Gon-
tumes at the Critics’ Choice In three decades, Carter that have careers in cos- the “Black Panther” cos- na Git You Sucka.”
Awards last month and was has been behind-the- tume design that I helped tumes after traveling to Af- The early ‘90s was a perfect
recently honored at New scenes in some of Holly- foster. For that achieve- rica, speaking with people time for Carter to enter into
York Fashion Week. wood’s biggest films. She’s ment, it means everything.” of the continent to under- the film industry. She called
“The designers are ex- garnered Oscar nomina- Carter played an influen- stand the history of each herself lucky because she
tremely talented designers, tions for her work in Spike tial role as lead costume artifact to ensure the dif- fit the mold for filmmakers
but I’m glad that I’m giving Lee’s “Malcolm X” and designer in making Ryan ferent characteristics were such as Lee, Townsend and
them a run for their mon- Steven Spielberg’s “Amis- Coogler’s “Black Panther” represented properly in the Wayans who were look-
ey,” she added. “That’s tad,” and received praise a cultural phenomenon. film. She had help from her ing for a “new direction for
how I feel. ... I feel empow- for her period ensembles in She said she wanted to in- team of shoppers, illustra- the artistry.” “They wanted
ered. I feel invigorated. I other projects such as Lee fuse the pride of African tors and researchers, along someone who was just start-
feel masterful.” Daniels’ “The Butler,” Ava diaspora into the char- with Marvel as the overseer. ing out with a fresh mind
Carter, 58, will also be hon- DuVernay’s “Selma” and acter’s stylish and color- All the preparation and and maybe could bring
ored Tuesday for her illustri- the reboot of “ROOTS.” ful garments to help bring hard work paid off. The new ideas to the industry,”
ous career at the 21st an- She’s created costumes Wakanda to life. “She gives costumes have become she said. “I was that person.
nual Costume Designers for Oprah Winfrey, Denzel you a wardrobe that helps so popular that people I bounced back and forth
Guild Awards. Washington, Eddie Murphy enhance your character,” from different ethnici- between New York and
“She is one of my favorite and even Jerry Seinfeld for said Bassett, who played ties— young and older — L.A. for like 10 years. That’s
people,” said Danai Gur- the “Seinfeld” pilot. the mother of Chadwick have worn Black Panther- not usual.” q

Swiss actor Bruno Ganz, star of

‘Downfall,’ dies at 77

Associated Press died in Zurich. as Sigmund Freund in “The
BERLIN (AP) — Swiss actor Ganz, a prominent figure Tobacconist,” released last
Bruno Ganz, who played in the German-language year.
Adolf Hitler cooped up in theater world, shifted into Berlin Mayor Michael Muel-
his Berlin bunker in “Down- movies in the 1970s, ap- ler said Ganz was “one of
fall” and an angel in Wim pearing in Werner Herzog’s the greats” of the screen
Wenders’ “Wings of De- “Nosferatu” and Wenders’ and stage.
sire,” has died. He was 77. “The American Friend” He said that “the death of
German news agency dpa among others. Bruno Ganz is a great loss In this Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, file photo, Actor Bruno Ganz
arrives for the screening of the movie Remember at the 72nd
reported that Ganz’s man- In one of his more recent for the German-speaking edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy.
agement said Saturday he appearances, he starred theater and film world.”q Associated Press