LOS ANGELES, CA — After a recent screening of “The Woman King,” an incredibly told true story starring Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, John Boyega, and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the much-anticipated film hits theaters nationwide on Thursday evening. It is a dynamic story about the history of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s. This army used their intelligence, skills, and fearlessness to defend an African kingdom.
The group of female soldiers, led by Agojie leader General Nanisca (Davis), are unmarried and passed up motherhood to dedicate their lives to protecting their King Ghezo (Boyega) at all costs. Prince-Bythewood wanted to be make sure the story remained authentic and appealing to audiences about this incredible true story.
“It was a story that has never been told,” Prince-Bythewood said. “I knew these women, when I read the script I felt like I was seeing myself. These women who were incredible athletes, incredible warriors…. and I felt like all my work up until this point led me to be able to tell this the right way, not only the deep emotional story throughout, but the action.”
The movie begins with action showcasing Nanisca’s army engaging in a battle for freedom, and intensifies throughout explaining the lives of several members of her army and the reasons they are fighting. The film peels back some important layers of Nanisca herself in order for the audience to connect with the character closely.
It showcases a boot camp in preparation for potential war against a rival kingdom, the Oyo Empire, that have worked with European slave traders who have extorted from the Dahomey for many years.
The film also goes more in depth with some of the other characters that include Izogie (Lynch), a fellow warrior leader, and young recruit Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), whose is a battle-tested, but emotionally disconnected youth after it’s revealed how her father tried to marry her off and how she defied him. She eventually grows into a disciplined warrior apprentice, which gives more introspective to the storyline between Nawi and Nanisca.
As wise as King Ghezo is showcased throughout the film, it also showed his vulnerability in not listening to the wisdom of Nanisca at a crucial time of war, and not leaning on the wisdom of the woman he placed in the most important position in his country.
However, Nanisca defies him and subsequently goes to war with the head of the Oyo Empire while facing her own demons, but she and her army return victorious. She proves to King Ghezo there was a reason he appointed her to the most integral position. The film delivers a strong finish with intriguing lessons that will resonate with many film goers.
“The Woman King” arrives in all theaters nationwide on Thursday, September 15, and is Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, some disturbing material, thematic content, brief language and partial nudity.
