March 19, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Film Review: “The Woman King”

FILM REVIEW
THE WOMAN. KING
Rated PG-13
135 Minutes

The Woman King is a drama and a superb action film based on the story of the Agojie, a highly skilled battalion of woman warriors, who protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey. That country did  exist from about 1600 to 1904, although the story does not pretend to be historically accurate in detail. There is no doubt that the intense emotional and physical spectacle is realistic, as is the depiction of the slave trade, which during that time period was an unfortunately lucrative business and kept kingdoms viable. Slave trade in those days was accepted as a part of life, and this movie exposes its horrors.

The story captures the concept, the drama, the fierce desperation and internalized emotions of those involved in the dehumanizing slave trade of the 1700’s – 1800’s. The film captures the fierce superhuman intensity of revolt. Gina Prince-Bythewood, who has performed an incredible feat in directing this movie, said that in researching the Agojie, she found that most of the histories were written by colonizers, and she had to distill their viewpoints to assess what was really happening. She enlisted the help of expert historians in order to portray the women as accurately as possible.

Twitter got in a twist because the film ignores that the governments of Dahomey and Benin traded slaves across the Atlantic during this period / and about the fact that the story was pitched to Viola Davis by Maria Bello, a white actress, and the screenplay was written by Dana Stevens, also a white writer/producer/actress. Bello came up with the idea after she visited Benin in 2015, the country now at the historical location of Dahomey. She learned the history of the Agojie and was in awe. Ethnicity does not come into play when uncovering the truth about heroism and courage. Director Prince-Bythewood and producers made every effort to include people of color in the filmmaking team. In November 2021, cast and crew flew to South Africa for a 5-month shoot.

This was an extremely difficult film to make. The filmmakers and cast navigated the extreme physical demands of the complex action and battle choreography, while expressing the passions and high drama of their characters. The difficult choreography is carried out with intensity and precision, and the cinematography and editing are Oscar-worthy. The movie never loses its rhythm. Viola Davis’s performance is mind-blowing, as are the work of Lashana Lynch and the many brilliant new faces who grace the screen. Many of the young actors are South African, and I’m sure we will see more of them in future films.

I’m guessing that ten years ago no studio or production company would have taken a chance on financing a $50 million movie about black women, shot in Africa. The Woman King is proving to be universally popular. It grossed a surprisingly strong $19.1 million at the box office its first weekend. I believe the great Chadwick Bozeman left us an invaluable legacy with Black Panther. He opened the door to Africa for the world. The Woman King is an important movie that’s not just entertainment. It lays out, front and center, the truth of the brutality that human beings can inflict upon one another in the name of power.

Kathryn Whitney Boole has spent most of her life in the entertainment industry, a backdrop for remarkable adventures with extraordinary people. She is currently a Talent Manager with Studio Talent Group in Santa Monica.

in News
Related Posts

Woman Drives Car In Ocean After High Speed Police Chase

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Law enforcement officers pursued her along the I-110 and I-405 until she reached the vicinity of Venice Beach A woman...

Santa Monica Authorities Seek Public’s Help After Sexual Assault Incident

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

SMPD Urges Anyone With Information to Come Forward Authorities in Santa Monica are seeking information from the public after a...

FBI Seeks Victims of Alleged Online Exploitation Scheme Allegedly Run by Resident of Santa Monica

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Individuals Urged to Come Forward in Investigation of John Douglas Burch The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office is urging individuals to...

(Video) Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD Responds to News of Nex Benedict’s Cause of Death

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, responds to the release of the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Ruling on Nex...

Venice Family Clinic Announces Inaugural HEART Gala to Celebrate Health and Art

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Event Honors Creative Community and Supporters of Vital Health Care Services Venice Family Clinic, a non-profit community health center dedicated...

“Love Lies Bleeding” is Ripped: Actress Katy O’Brian Talks Love, Sex, and Vulnerability

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Katy O’Brian is a Breakout Star Who Shines in Loving and Hilariously Violent Crime Film English film director Rose Glass’...

Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier Sold to SC Holdings, $10M Investment Planned

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

The Cultural Institution Set for Exciting Upgrades Santa Monica Amusements LLC (SMA), the operating group of Pacific Park on the...

Woman Returns $1K Worth of Stolen Items After Store Finds Her Social Media Account

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

For the Owner, the Incident Is Perhaps Indicative of an Environment at the Palisades Village Where Smaller Businesses Are More...

LAPD Identify Suspect Who Struck 6-Year-Old Girl Last Weekend

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

An Arrest Was Made Following “Another Incident” in Venice By Zach Armstrong  The Los Angeles Police have identified Ahsante Lamar...

SMC to Host Free Screening of West Coast Hip Hop Documentary

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free Presentation Includes Audience Q&A with Hip Hop Icons Santa Monica College (SMC) is set to host a complimentary screening...

IRS Launches Direct File Pilot of Free Filing Tool for Taxpayers in California, 11 Other States

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free, Convenient Online Tax Filing Option Now Available for Eligible Individuals The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the official launch...

SMPD Arrests Man Who Allegedly Attacked Girlfriend, Brandished Replica Firearm at Her Daughter

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

The Man Faces Charges of Felony Domestic Violence and Misdemeanor Child Abuse A suspect is in custody after a domestic...

A New Civil Lawsuit Against Roman Polanski Has Moved Forward to Trial

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

Director Faces Allegations From 1973, Santa Monica Judge Sets Date A trial date of August 4, 2025, has been set...

AFM Heads to Las Vegas: Independent Film Market’s Big Move to Palms Casino Resort for 45th Edition

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

International Film and Television Alliance Announces AFM Will Leave Santa Monica The American Film Market® (AFM®) is set to move...

Suspect Strikes 6-Year-Old Girl in Santa Monica, Investigation Underway

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

Detectives Are Actively Locating/Obtaining Surveillance Footage By Zach Armstrong An assault investigation is underway after a man reportedly struck a...