In 1823, in the heart of Africa, a formidable all-female military unit known as the Agojie, led by the indomitable General Nanisca (Viola Davis), stands as the last line of defense for the Kingdom of Dahomey against the encroaching Oyo empire. King Ghezo (John Boyega) faces a moral crossroads: perpetuate the kingdom’s involvement in the slave trade, or heed Nanisca’s counsel to wage war and diversify the kingdom’s exports to palm oil.
Viola Davis as Nanisca in “The Woman King”
The increasing prominence of female narratives in cinema over the past decade has paved the way for the exploration of previously marginalized stories. Female directors and screenwriters are not only sharing their own experiences on screen but also delving into the annals of history to unearth forgotten heroines. Among these are the Agojie, the Dahomey Amazons – fierce female warriors who chose service to their kingdom over traditional domestic life.
The film’s tagline, “Inspired by True Events,” signals that it is less a historical lesson and more an epic drama with a loosely based plot. While the film draws inspiration from the 19th century, most of the characters are fictional. Dahomey’s stance on the slave trade is also a subject of debate. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood softens the kingdom’s image, whereas in reality, the state profited from the sale of enslaved people until the European ban on the practice. While this historical context is important, it doesn’t significantly detract from the viewing experience of this fictionalized account.
A Sisterhood Forged in Battle
Viola Davis as Nanisca in “The Woman King”
Prince-Bythewood constructs a self-contained female world. Set in 1823, young women have virtually no rights. Each character carries a personal history of domestic abuse. Amidst the flourishing slave trade and colonization, women (unless they are warriors) are seen as the lowest caste. To illustrate the tragic fate of millions, the director weaves in the story of Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), a seemingly ordinary girl whose father repeatedly tries to marry her off, but men reject her for being too headstrong. Eventually, Nawi enters the palace as a gift to the king – another recruit for the Agojie army. It’s no surprise that young girls and experienced women – those who refuse to bow to tyrants and wear the chains of involuntary marriage – are the ones fighting against the injustice of human trafficking.
Viola Davis as Nanisca in “The Woman King”
Echoes of Familiar Tales
“The Woman King” occasionally treads familiar and predictable paths. At times, the battle sequences are more engaging than the characters’ personal struggles. The film incorporates well-known tropes: the relationship between a strict mentor and a defiant student, the search for redemption for past sins, and forbidden love. However, these dramatic conflicts pale in comparison to the display of the Amazons’ talents. Watching them is akin to witnessing a realistic and feminist version of “Black Panther.”
An Oscar Contender?
Gina Prince-Bythewood’s film is likely to garner attention from the Academy. This action film, starring the consistently remarkable Viola Davis, is a serious contender for an Oscar. The film boasts epic battle scenes, impressive acting performances, and a plot rooted in historical accounts. Audiences are reintroduced to the stories of forgotten people whose struggles, sadly, are not celebrated in songs, but whose voices grow louder centuries later.