What to do Darkness And Traffic jam Have in common? Aside from the two films of the 90s, not much, you might think. However, it turns out that the two films are both part of a popular genre that you may not know: modern issekai.
Isekai, a Japanese term meaning “different world”, is a popular sub-genre in anime, manga, light novels and games. It is defined as any story where the protagonist is transported, reincarnated or trapped in a new kingdom – often a fantastic terrain, a world of video games or an alternative reality.
Once you know you are looking for it, you will see examples of Isekai everywhere. And although traditionally, the term does not apply to live movies or television programs, it’s always an interesting way to classify your favorite stories. I cannot claim credit for this idea. I obtained it from an ironic article on X demanding the return of the live action iskai as Darkness (1992) and Traffic jam (1996),, Two films which, of course, see Bruce Campbell and Michael Jordan respectively, transported to other worlds.
But none of these examples remained me more than Martin Lawrence’s film in 2001 Black knightA largely forgotten time travel film that is just streaming on Prime Video and Hulu on August 1.
It is not a secret that I am a fan of dark films, if not a little terrible, that no one knows, but Black knight is different – and not only because I am an unconditional fan of Martin Lawrence. The comedy follows Jamal Walker (Lawrence), a rapid employee in a dilapidated medieval theme park, which is supported in a ditch and mysteriously transported to England in the 14th century.
Forged with a messenger from Normandy, he is caught in a rebellion against a corrupt king. Using her modern street intelligence (and many references to pop culture), Jamal helps residents fight for freedom while trying to understand how to get home. It looks exactly like InuyashaExcept instead of demons, schoolgirls and Japan, it is medieval times with much more black representation.
Black knight Arrived at the height of Martin Lawrence’s career, at a time when cable television reigned and the public often discovered films through frequent reruns (or old VHS bands). My persevering love for Lawrence was at her peak at that time. His syndicated eponated sitcom left the tunes a few years earlier, in 1997, and he was in the middle of a formidable theatrical race which included films like A fine line between love and hatred (1996), Life (1999), and Great mom’s house (2000). Even if these films were not all huge at the box office or a success with criticism, Lawrence could not hurt according to her fans base at that time, which announced it as the decisive actor of the decade.
Black knight Admittedly, it is not the most polite film in the world, but the chops of Lawrence comedy wear it as it explores medieval times through a black perspective (something that I have never seen since, no matter how many black actors are flowing in Dragon House Or Lord of the Rings: The rings of power). This makes hilarious and hilarious moments with water to which similar ethnic audiences can relate. Despite all the laughter, the film underlines how systemic racism never disappears; It changes.
For example, the actor Vincent Reban depicts the villain of the film, the bodyguard of the tyrannical king Leo, who repeatedly calls Jamal a “moor”. Historically, the term referred to the Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb, the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily or Malta in the Middle Ages, but here it is used as an insult of cover for all people with dark or Muslim skin. At the time, this opened my young and naive on how, through the ages, racists will always find a way to call you a racial insult, which is why the armament of the right -handed right of terms like Dei does not surprise me or disconcerts me today.
Jamal’s romantic interest, Victoria (Marsha Thomason), is a forced dark chamber of cleaning after royalty during the day and undergoing night exploitation. But secretly, she leads to resistance to overthrow the king, and therefore the former queen, who was overthrown by King Leo, can reign again. This prompted me to the way women, especially black women, throughout history have persevered to become their own heroes. The fact that she also tries to restore a matriarchy adds another layer of nuance to her position in this medieval framework dominated by warrior men.
However Black knight was a favorite of childhood, I recently saw him, and he always holds. Humor remains lively and really funny, and fundamental messages on resilience, justice and defense against oppression resonate today. What is particularly cool is the way in which the film has developed an online passionate fans base that prays different interests, bringing together lovers of film and culture animates in a way that I did not expect.
