Black Panther 2 is being filmed in Georgia, and director Ryan Coogler says that the widely awaited movie will stay amid the new conservative state voting rules.
Coogler reveals in a guest column for Deadline how he is “profoundly disappointed” to hear about the controversial SB202 is signed into legislation especially in a State that holds a particular spot in his heart.
“The fight for full enfranchisement is fundamental to the African-American struggle in this country and to this country’s claim to functioning democracy,” as written by Coogler. He further elaborates that as an African-American and a citizen, he (Coggler) is opposed to any attempt to reduce voter turnout, explicitly or implicitly.
The column of Coogler was published just days after Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua decided to pull production of their slave drama Emancipation out of the state. In a joint statement, Smith and Fuqua stated that they will not “provide a government with economic assistance that adopts regressive voting legislation aimed at restricting electoral access.”
Coogler has a different perceptive on the issue. Following interactions with the state’s voting campaigners, he noticed how many workers the movie employs and how the leaving state would also affect local vendors and companies.
Because of those reasons, Coogler wrote, “I will never participate in a boycott of Georgia.” but he will however use his influence to raise awareness on the consequences of SB202 and its humiliating roots in Jim Crow. Coogler also hopes to support organizations fighting against voter suppression here in the state.
The 34-year-old producer from Oakland wants congress to pass H.R. 1, also known as The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
He urged the Senate “to do its duty” and to enact For The People Act. “Our film is staying in Georgia,” wrote Coogler. In addition, He’s made a personal commitment to raise awareness on how to help overturn this harmful bill, and will continue to learn more about the issue from people on the ground.
Coogler urges everyone who works with him to reach out to the local community that is directly impacted by Senate Bill 202 and use their power and energy to help in the battle for this vital pillar of democracy
