What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedAfrofuturism Rising
Isiah Lavender (III) · Book · 2019
If you loved Afrofuturism Rising, start with Black Panther (Ryan Coogler, 2018) — a film on the same thread. Below: 2 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Afrofuturism Rising across media.
If you enjoyed Afrofuturism Rising, you will appreciate these works that use speculative lenses to interrogate identity and systemic power.
Films on the same thread
Black Panther
Ryan Coogler · Film · 2018
Explores: Succession, Cultural Identity, Anti-Colonialism.
Much like the narrative practices analyzed in Afrofuturism Rising, this film explores the intersection of technological supremacy and cultural identity within a sovereign African context.
Sorry to Bother You
Boots Riley · Film · 2018
Explores: Corporate Dystopia, Code-switching, Racial Identity.
This film mirrors the concerns of Afrofuturism Rising by utilizing satirical science fiction to expose the brutal realities of racial identity and corporate control in modern society.
Series on the same thread
Insecure
Issa Rae · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with Afrofuturism Rising: identity.
While grounded in reality, this series echoes the focus on Black storytelling found in Afrofuturism Rising, centering on the complex evolution of personal and social identity.
Afro Samurai
Takashi Okazaki · Series · 2007
Explores: Revenge, Father-Son Relationship, Moral Ambiguity.
This work shares the speculative spirit of Afrofuturism Rising, blending genre conventions to explore themes of moral ambiguity and vengeance within a stylized, futuristic landscape.
For All Mankind
Ronald D. Moore · Series · 2019
Explores: Space Exploration, Cold War, Technological Advancement.
Just as Afrofuturism Rising investigates the future, this alternate history series examines the profound impact of technological advancement on the trajectory of human society and national identity.
Black Mirror
Charlie Brooker · Series · 2011
Shares 2 threads with Afrofuturism Rising: Social Commentary, Speculative Fiction.
This anthology aligns with the critical lens of Afrofuturism Rising by dissecting the unintended consequences of technology and the darker aspects of our collective social future.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
Connecting to the cultural studies framework of Afrofuturism Rising, this podcast re-examines the foundational narratives of American identity and the enduring legacy of systemic racial structures.
Desinteligencia Artificial
Podcast
Shares 2 threads with Afrofuturism Rising: Technology, Future.
This podcast mirrors the thematic inquiries of Afrofuturism Rising, offering a philosophical critique of how modern technology reshapes our understanding of the future and dystopian social realities.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Afrofuturism Rising focused primarily on film or literature?
While Afrofuturism Rising acknowledges the significance of music and visual media like Black Panther and Get Out, the book emphasizes that literature remains a fundamental component for understanding the full dimensions of the afrofuturist aesthetic and its narrative practices.
What is the core premise explored in Afrofuturism Rising?
Afrofuturism Rising examines afrofuturism as a specific narrative practice. Isiah Lavender explores how this framework functions within literature, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the genre beyond its popular sonic and visual manifestations in contemporary film and music culture.
Who is the author of Afrofuturism Rising?
The book Afrofuturism Rising was written by Isiah Lavender (III). Published in 2019, the work provides a scholarly analysis of afrofuturism, positioning literature as the essential foundation for interpreting the historical and creative development of the movement.
Does Afrofuturism Rising discuss the origins of the movement?
Yes, Afrofuturism Rising notes that the movement grew out of the music scene before emerging as a broader aesthetic. The text traces these origins while arguing that literature is the most important medium for fully grasping the scope and dimensions of the practice.