“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is almost out in the world. Already seen by critics, including yours truly, the Marvel film is action-packed and fierce, yes. But as a film that comes in the wake of Chadwick Boseman’s death and the passing of his Black Panther character T’Challa worked into the film, it’s also a deeply emotional film, filled with melancholy, grief, anger, and many of the complicated feelings that come with the heartache of losing a loved one.
‘Wakanda Forever’ features a slew of amazing collaborators. Still, one of the most high-profile is songwriter/singer/artist Rihanna who released her first song in six years for the movie. Titled “Lift Me Up,” the moving, heartbroken, but hopeful anthem is already being touted as a strong contender for the Oscar’s Best Original Song category, and honestly, it already feels like a shoo-in.
READ MORE: Is ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ A Best Picture Player?
Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the cinematographer of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and Marvel’s “Loki” series, directed and did the cinematography for Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up “music video.
“It was an honor to get to work with Rihanna on this project and extend the emotion in our film’s visuals, with her captivating performance, beauty, and strength,” Durald Arkapaw says of her work on the music video.
Durald also shot Spike Jonze’s “Beastie Boys Story” and has done music video work for Hot Chip, SZA and the Weekend, Big Sean, Haim, and more.
“Lift Me Up,” a tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of Chadwick Boseman, is written by Tems, Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, and Ryan Coogler, and it leads the forthcoming soundtrack Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By, available November 4 from Roc Nation Records/Def Jam Recordings/Hollywood Records. The soundtrack is produced by Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis, and Dave Jordan. The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Original Score, composed and produced by Ludwig Göransson, will be available on November 11 from Hollywood Records.
Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is one of the year’s most highly anticipated film events. Directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” opens in U.S. theaters on November 11, 2022. Watch the music video below.
