Following the recent revelation that Gina Prince-historical Bythewood’s epic The Woman King would have its global debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, a new poster has been released featuring TKTK. Based on historical events, the film stars Academy Award winner Viola Davis, who portrays a formidable female military organisation known as the Agojie in the late 1800s who fight to safeguard their country, the West African Kingdom of Dahomey.
After its international premiere, the film will be released to the general public on September 16th. General Nanisca (Davis), the Agojie’s strong commander, is the film’s protagonist who is entrusted with preparing the next generation of Agojie warriors. For their resemblance to the mythical Amazons, the Agojie women were known as the Dahomey Amazons by some. They safeguarded the Kingdom of Dahomey, which was regarded as one of Africa’s most powerful nations at the time. European invaders threatened to stain their dignity and devastate their way of life regardless of their military ability.
Nanisca (Thuso Mbedu) takes Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) under her wing as they struggle for their right to freedom. While charging into an orange-tinted fog, General Nanisca raises her gun to meet whatever may be beyond the poster’s borders. The Woman King is Prince-fourth Bythewood’s feature film since her Sundance darling Love & Basketball in 2000. Since then, her critically acclaimed rendition of The Secret Life of Bees, starring Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, and Jennifer Hudson, has become a fan favourite. Davis and Mbedu, together with Lashana Lynch, John Boyega and Sheila Atim will also star in her new film, which will also have Jayme Lawson and Hero Fiennes Tiffin in the cast.
The screenplay is written by Dana Stevens, with a narrative by Maria Bello, Prince-Bythewood directs. In comparison to her most recent role as Michelle Obama in Showtime’s The First Lady, Davis is playing Nanisca. Davis’ transformation into a ferocious warrior lady has been a success, and she appears to be enjoying every minute of it. In an interview with Vanity Fair published this month, she discussed the rigorous training she undertook, claiming “A few months before filming, we worked four hours a day, five days a week in order to prepare for filming. Train your body for the machete by doing weightlifting, running, martial arts, and weaponry training. In my mind, I am the first fighter.” September 8 through September 18, the Toronto International Film Festival, is where The Woman King’s international premiere will be held before its release on September 16.