Nigerian Activist Uses 'The Godfather' to Shed Light on Racial Issues
Farida Helmy — March 15, 2014 — Pop Culture
References: theplantationboy.blogspot & featureshoot
Taking on one of the most popular movies ever made, a Nigerian photographer Uche Okpa-Iroha humorously inserts himself in 'The Godfather' movie stills to shine light on racial issues of representation of certain races, or lack of representation, in mainstream media.
'The Plantation Boy' project by Okpa-Iroha uses humor and pop culture to gain attention on the still ongoing racial issues of representation of certain races or cultures.
"In order to question this, I decided to intrude into this space using simulation as a form of representation by proxy,” says Okpa-Iroha.
Painstakingly inserting himself in 40 stills, the final results look almost realistic with plans to continue the project with The Godfather parts two and three and the movie Amistad.
Okpa-Iroha chose The Godfather especially because he feels it "addresses some issues in society that border around marginal groups, especially in American society of the 1940s.”
'The Plantation Boy' project by Okpa-Iroha uses humor and pop culture to gain attention on the still ongoing racial issues of representation of certain races or cultures.
"In order to question this, I decided to intrude into this space using simulation as a form of representation by proxy,” says Okpa-Iroha.
Painstakingly inserting himself in 40 stills, the final results look almost realistic with plans to continue the project with The Godfather parts two and three and the movie Amistad.
Okpa-Iroha chose The Godfather especially because he feels it "addresses some issues in society that border around marginal groups, especially in American society of the 1940s.”
Trend Themes
1. Anti-racist Art - Exploring racial issues through art projects, using humor and pop culture references to raise awareness and spark conversations.
2. Representation in Media - Challenging the lack of representation of certain races or cultures in mainstream media by inserting oneself into iconic movie stills and highlighting the need for diversity and inclusivity.
3. Simulation as Commentary - Using simulation as a form of representation by proxy to question societal issues, such as marginalization and racial inequality, by recreating scenes from influential movies.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Photography - Artists and photographers can use their skills to create thought-provoking projects that address social issues and promote inclusivity.
2. Film and Entertainment - The film industry can embrace diverse storytelling and representation to reflect the realities of different communities and challenge stereotypes.
3. Social Activism - Advocacy groups and activists can utilize creative approaches, like using simulation and humor, to raise awareness about systemic racism and promote equality.
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