The Woman King

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood Gina Prince-Bythewood

Overview

In the late eighteenth century, the Kingdom of Dahomey, armed with wealth, political influence, and a ruthless army, flourished as one of Africa's most powerful states. Yet as greedy European merchants encroached upon Africa, seeking riches at the brutal, heartless expense of its people, fierce warrior Nanisca (Viola Davis) inspires her king, Ghezo (John Boyega), to stand against the Europeans to uphold the freedom of their people. Gina Prince-Bythewood directs the historical epic inspired by true events. Co-starring Lashana Lynch, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and Thuso Mbedu.

Product Details

Release Date:	12/13/2022
UPC:	0043396582187
Original Release:	2022
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	Sony Pictures
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	2:15:00
Sales rank:	61,529

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Viola Davis	Nanisca
Thuso Mbedu	Nawi
Lashana Lynch	Izogie
Sheila Atim	Amenza
John Boyega	King Ghezo
Jordan Bolger	Malik
Hero Fiennes Tiffin	Santo Ferreira
Jimmy Odukoya	Oba Ade
Masali Baduza	Fumbe
Jayme Lawson	Shante
Adrienne Warren	Ode
Chioma Umeala	Tara
Siyamthanda Makakane	Cindra
Shaina West	Esi
Sivuyile Ngesi	The Migan(as Siv Ngesi)
Riaan Visman	Tanonu
Seputla Sebogodi	The Meu
Angélique Kidjo	The Meunon
Wanda Banda	Young Nanisca
Kekole Mathabathe	Ajahe
Daniel Hadebe	Oyo Secretary(as Dan Hadebe)
Kgomotso Moshia	Dayo
Zozibini Tunzi	Efe
Thando Dlomo	Kelu
Zeaf Ejama	Fumbe's Mother
Julius Tennon	Moru
Pumla Ndlazi	Ydande
Makgotso M	Actor
Chioma Antoinette Umeala	Tara
Tuks Tad Lungu	The Village Leader
Lebo M	Composer
Terence Blanchard	Composer

Technical Credits

Dana Stevens

Maria Bello

Gina Prince-Bythewood

Dana Stevens	Screenwriter
Maria Bello	Screenwriter,Producer
Gina Prince-Bythewood	Director,Screenwriter
Peter McAleese	Executive Producer
Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri	Executive Producer
Viola Davis	Producer
Cathy Schulman	Producer
Julius Tennon	Producer
Aisha Coley	Casting

Editorial Reviews

Gina Prince-Blythewood directs The Woman King, a very alternate history tale of the actual 19th Century kingdom of Dahomey. Her direction, along with a fine script from Dana Stevens and Maria Bello, brings the kingdom and the struggle for freedom from oppression and the slave trade to vivid life. Dahomey, on the Atlantic coast of Africa, has a new ruler in King Gheza (John Boyega). He is faced with the decision of carrying on the slave-trading, tribute-paying ways of his brother or moving his people to independence from both. But first, he must balance his kingdom by selecting a female co-leader whose advice will sway that decision. General Nanisca (Viola Davis), the leader of the Agojie, Dahomey's warrior women, is a primary choice. But faced with the immediate threat of some of her warriors being sold as slaves, Nanisca chooses her own path. With the help of Izogie (Lashana Lynch), Amenza (Sheila Atim), and new Agojie recruit Mawi (Thuso Mbedu), Nanisca sets about carving her choices for the future of herself, her people, and her nation. Prince-Blythewood already has an impressive resume of directing strong female leads. Still, in this film, she outdoes all her prior works. In this superbly penned script by Stevens and Bello, Prince-Blythewood focuses on the women of this male-female balanced people without making the men appear to be an afterthought. This is particularly impressive in a genre that tends to go heavily in one direction or the other, especially so because the film is squarely about the Agojie female warriors. Her work is made easier by a fine cast whose performances bring the audience squarely into their journey. Davis provides a strong lead that drives the motivations of her character and of those around her. The other three principal actors strongly support her, and Lynch's performance is scene-stealing, even against the ever-exceptional Davis. The film is not entirely without flaws, though. One character is meant to provide a positive connection between the slavers and the Dahomey. His presence seems unnecessary and more like an afterthought. In addition, some audience members may miss what the characters are saying due to the accents and the speed with which they speak. There are also a few moments in the film where the action seems to become more like a comic book movie, sometimes suspending belief in how the scene would have played out in real life. There's a flair of fantasy here and there, which enhances the audience's connection to the warrior women but makes some of the scenes feel less real. None of this has much of an effect on the overall experience, though. Even among these mostly stellar other features, the cinematography stands out. Beautiful long shots, close-ups, and the use of light and shadow build not just the characters but also the world of Dahomey. Every scene is framed perfectly to convey the story and allude to hidden meaning - a solid testament to how closely and well the cinematographer and director worked together. The costuming and sets are all incredibly well done with great attention to detail. The Woman King is an anthem to the strength an oppressed people can find and to women in general. Better, it is a testament to a balanced society that can choose a better way for itself when faced with a crossroads. In these, the movie boldly proclaims its place in amazing cinema with a mighty roar!