The Woman King -The true to life story of the Dahomey Amazons
The Woman King is a historical film about real-life women warriors that originated from Africa. Gina Prince-Bythewood, the hit Netflix original Old Guard director, directs this film. Black actors usually lack representation in historical films. Historical films with black actors stars either in a movie about slavery in America, or they will have to race to bend a white historical figure. The Woman King is a game-changer because it uses African history to give Black representation in historical films instead of the familiar setting. This movie gives life to a historical event in Africa. Even if African countries have a plethora of historical heroes, Many of them are yet to appear on the Silver screen.
The Kingdom of Dahomey (present-day Benin) was one of Africa’s most powerful kingdoms. They resisted surrendering in and letting the Europeans colonize them. Due to the low birth rate of males and the high death rate of men in battles with other kingdoms, there is a manpower shortage.
Women who hunted elephants enlisted in the military. These strong women warriors are called the Muni, but the European settlers called them the Dahomey Amazons. Their experience of Hunting elephants helped them transition to combat training.
The Woman King Official Trailer
General Nanisca (Viola Davis) is a loyal soldier of the Kingdom. She led an army of trained female warriors to defend their Kingdom. The European colonists defeat African nations, and Unlike the others, the Dahomeys are fighting for their freedom because it is their inheritance from their ancestors. The recruit Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) also joins the defense force and other fierce female warriors.
So, They won’t let these settlers enslave their people and salvage their land.
These Women warriors are willing to die to defend their King and country.
Sony Pictures will release The Woman King on September 16, 2022.
ShadowNeko003
July 11, 2022 @ 12:05 am
This looks cool! Viola Davis is a phenomenal actress so I am excited to see a piece of African history in film.
MRoberts
July 11, 2022 @ 12:07 am
As awesome as this appears, here is some historical information about the real-life kingdom of Dahomey, where the film is set: During the time of the transatlantic slave trade, they were one of Europe’s biggest suppliers, selling captives from conquered neighbors to the Europeans. After the European nations, beginning with the U.K., outlawed slavery in the early to mid-19th century and started to blockade them, the kingdom ultimately fell, and Dahomey was seized by France in 1894.Dahomey expanded at the same time as the Atlantic slave trade, and the Europeans came to recognize it as a significant source of slaves. Being a highly militaristic kingdom that was always prepared for battle, it regularly engaged in raids and wars against neighboring societies, seizing children, women, and men who were then sold into the slave trade in the Atlantic in exchange for European goods like firearms, gunpowder, cloth, cowrie shells, tobacco, alcohol, and pipes. The other prisoners were sold into slavery in Dahomey, where they labored on regal estates and were frequently massacred in massive human sacrifices during the festival celebrations known as the Annual Customs of Dahomey. So this Kingdom have blood of betrayal in their hands.
Natures
July 11, 2022 @ 12:15 am
This is a movie yet we have people here taking history way too seriously. This is to entertain people and not to talk about the war crimes of Dahomey. Americans and British have war crimes too and yet they are always heroes in movies.
50HellsofPain
July 11, 2022 @ 1:51 am
I usually see Viola Davis playing Mom roles. So it is amazing she can pull of this warrior role.
stephaniebeatrizs
July 11, 2022 @ 6:30 am
This reminds me of Brave Heart, Hope it is more historically accurate.
cmoneyspinner
July 20, 2022 @ 6:26 pm
Well! I liked Black Panther, but he was not real. I have done some research about real women warriors in history and came across information about the African female warriors. Just when I thought the American entertainment industry was the “same old same old”, they surprise me and do something new!
BlairCourtt
July 21, 2022 @ 1:39 pm
I made a research and I was fascinated that these women use to hunt elephants. So they are already though before they became warriors.
Master
August 15, 2022 @ 5:58 pm
It’s a first seeing Viola Davis in a role like this and she is pulling it off well. Even her voice seemed to have changed, which is quite fitting for the position. I say, do your thing General Nanisca. You got this!
Merchant
August 30, 2022 @ 6:44 am
This is my first time hearing about these Amazons since they are not thought on my history class, I am intrigued that these Amazons exist.