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The Woman King 2022
Action warAction-adventureHistorical action
The Woman King is a 2022 American action-adventure drama set in the 1820s. This fictionalised historical film portrays the Agojie, an all-female military unit within the West African Kingdom of Dahomey. The movie features Viola Davis in the role of a general who leads the training of new female fighters. It was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Dana Stevens, with the story originally developed by Maria Bello. Additional cast members include Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and John Boyega.
Bello first came up with the concept for The Woman King in 2015 following a trip to Benin, where the ancient kingdom once stood, and her study of the Agojie’s history. She brought in Cathy Schulman to help adapt it into a full-length film, presenting it to various studios who declined due to budget concerns. After meeting with TriStar Pictures in 2017, the project was approved for production in 2020. Filming commenced in South Africa in November 2021, but had to pause because of the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak just weeks later. The production restarted in early 2022, with Polly Morgan serving as cinematographer. During post-production, Terence Blanchard composed the soundtrack and Terilyn A. Shropshire handled editing.
The Woman King premiered globally at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2022, followed by a U.S. theatrical release by Sony Pictures Releasing on September 16, 2022. Critics generally responded positively, especially praising Davis's performance and the choreography of action scenes. Nonetheless, some criticism emerged regarding historical inaccuracies related to slavery. The film was recognized as one of the top ten movies of 2022 by both the American Film Institute and the National Board of Review. At the 28th Critics' Choice Awards, it earned nominations for Best Costume Design, Best Acting Ensemble, Best Director, and Best Actress for Davis. Additionally, Davis received acting nominations at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, BAFTA Film Awards, and NAACP Image Awards.
This film marked the final release distributed by Entertainment One in Canada before the company closed its Canadian operations on June 29, 2022, along with its Spanish distribution just prior to the film’s release.
Trailer
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Cast
- Viola DavisGeneral Nanisca
- Wanda BandaYoung Nanisca
- Thuso MbeduNawi
- Lashana LynchIzogie
- Sheila AtimAmenza
- LethaboYoung Amenza
- Hero Fiennes TiffinSanto Ferreira
- John BoyegaKing Ghezo respectively Gezo
- Jordan BolgerMalik
- Jimmy OdukoyaGeneral Oba Ade
- Joel MukadiYoung Oba
- Masali BaduzaFumbe
- Jayme LawsonShante
- Shaina WestEsi
- Bonko KhozaBoma
- Chioma UmealaTara
- Sne MbathaOkankan
- Siyamthanda MakakaneCindra
- Siv Ngesithe Migan
- Angélique Kidjothe Meunon
- Makgotso MIniya
- Thando DlomoKelu
- Julian Tennon]Moru
Crew
- Director
- Gina Prince-Bythewood
- Screenplay
- Dana Stevens
- Story
- Maria Bello, Dana Stevens
- Producer
- Cathy Schulman, Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, Maria Bello
- Cinematography
- Polly Morgan
- Editing
- Terilyn A. Shropshire
- Music
- Terence Blanchard
Details
- Production
- eOne, JuVee Productions, TriStar Pictures, Welle Entertainment
- Distributor
- Sony Pictures Releasing
- Budget
- $50 million
- Box office
- $97.6 million
