Cinephile № 979 “The Woman King”

Recommendation: 4/5 SHOWTIME

Plot: “A historical epic inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries.” -IMDB

Review: Viola Davis is one of the best character actors of her generation. Given her immense talent, I must confess that I was hesitant about seeing her in a role demanding extreme action and combat. Any hesitation I felt quickly evaporated with the opening scene of this movie.

Davis plays Nanisca, general of the Agojie (an elite all-female band of warriors in service of the Dahomey Kingdom). The enemy of the kingdom is the Oyo, which is larger, armed with guns/horses, and is growing more powerful by selling/trading human slaves to Europeans. Based on a true story, this film changes the narrative. It asks the audience to reconsider some assumptions. Not all Africans were bound to the new world as slaves without a fight. Using this truth, as a backdrop for this movie, fascinated and enthralled me.

This is also a story of female empowerment. Nanisca and her warriors are an elite group serving the king and enjoying special perks because of their dedication, but the kingdom is not without sin. It too is involved in the slave trade. This gives birth to another mission and a great subplot of this story. The kingdom can…