Hello! This is Cassandra Johnson, and I am posting some belated
disccusion to the movie Coming to America.
Hmmm, probably the hardest thing about costume analysis for this
movie (as well as Superfly) for me was the period dress factor. That
is, when I want to make a comment about a paticular outfit, I'm not
sure if I can identify it as "african-american" style or just a
generic style of the 70's and 80s. My knowledge in that area is
somewhat limited.
In any case, my favorite part of the movie is Zamunda itself. The
kingdom is an amusing alagam of several differnt cultures including
(but not limited to) Islamic, Byzantine, romanesque, British/French
colonialism, medival europe, and of course, African.
Hmmm what else...its hard to discuss when there is no jumping point.
the film was very much like a typical fairytale, only Africanized.
That is the bulk of the formula is very western, but decorated with
a confused array of "african" trinkets. There is the loud, colorful
fabrics with geometric patterns, african animals running around
nonchalantly, and a monarchy (tribal structure in a grander sense?)
There is also the expensive yet crude jewlery. Large, clunky, and
with little craftmanship. Hopefully this is adquate. If it isn't i
can expand.....
I guess thats it. i have other thoughts but I don't want to get
redundent since they're in my paper.