king ghezo the woman king

In his previous body of work, Odukoya has appeared in films like The Bosslady, Wedding Plan, and Team Six. Forbes describes them as exceeding their male coadjutors in cruelty and all the stronger passions and quotes them as chanting, [we] will conquer or die! The supposedly-progressive King Ghezo himself had thousands of wives, including many forcibly captured by the Agojie for his sexual enjoyment. The Woman King tells the story of a highly skilled band of women warriors called the Agojie who struck fear in all who encountered them from 1600 to 1800s Africa. At the end of the film, due to her bravery in rescuing captured Dahoney citizens and burning down a slaver outpost, King Ghezo appoints Nanisca as "The Woman King," an equal partner in leading the kingdom of Dahomey much to the chagrin of Shante, and presumably many of the other regal wives of Ghezo. In the film, Boyega's Ghezo serves as an important ally to Nanisca, demanding that she be treated as an equal to him in power and standing. In that year, a faction for the resumption of the slave trade formed, headed by the Migan and Yovogan (governor of Whydah) which pushed Ghezo toward resuming the slave trade in 1857. The Woman King plot . The Woman King, starring Viola Davis and John Boyega, has taken the world by stormand raised some controversy along the way. In one scene, Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), a new recruit, goes to the river to find the perfect rock with which to sharpen her sword. It also addresses the role that Dahomey played in the slave tradealthough it glosses over the fact that the king at the time only temporarily paused the kingdoms participation in 1852. Glele was the official heir, but he was not the oldest son;[6] he was challenged in his attempt to rule but was supported by the conservative faction. It has been called indelible and truly inspiring in an ABC News review which features the subhead Black women only no white saviors need apply. The Daily Beast labeled it an absolute blast of a cinematic experience, praising its thick layers of history.. There are many ways "Woman King" could produce a sequel, based on how the film ends. The agreement specified that Ghezo was to end the slave trade from Dahomey. The Woman King (2022) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. The veteran warrior and general of the Agojie, Nanisca, is portrayed by Violas Davis. The Woman King tells the story of Nanisca (Viola Davis), general of King Ghezo's (John Boyega) Amazons, and Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), a young girl newly recruited into the kingdom's famed army of . In The Woman King, the Dahomey rescue a group of captive women, with Nanisca inviting them to train to become Agojie warriors while informing them of its firm tradition of the Agojie forsaking marriage and motherhood. Anglique Kidjo as the Meunon: Beninese singer Anglique Kidjo has had an acclaimed musical career, while she has also been seen on shows like Christmas Flow and films like The CEO. The became known as the Battle of Abeokuta. I think its something which even today would be considered revolutionary, Wantchekon says of the women warriors. The all-female special forces for the fictional African nation of Wakanda first appeared in Marvel comic books, but migrated onscreen in 2018, where they played an integral role. In the 1800s, the king, Ghezo, was a proponent of the slave trade, which meant the film did somewhat sanitize the empire for which Nanisca (Viola Davis) fought. Follow Brad on Twitter @BradCurran. These women were his bodyguards and his chief slave catchers and were forbidden to marry. Atim's previous film credits also include Twelfth Night, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and 2022's Pinocchio, with Sheila Atim also in Bruised, which marked Halle Berry's directorial debut. Viola Davis plays the lead general of the women warriors tasked with protecting the people of Dahomey (modern-day Benin) and King Ghezo (portrayed by John Boyega) during his rule beginning in. The Oyo have an advantage with their guns and horses. By the end of the film, all the predictions that Ameza tells Nanisca end up coming true. For instance, there could be other would-be conquerors in Africa trying to attack the Agojie and the Dahomey Kingdom. The Woman King (2022) Trivia. With Nanisca leading the charge against the slave traders, one Agojie student named Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) becomes a major linchpin in her story. King Ghezo. Second, Wantchekon himself observed progressive gender roles in the region: Growing up in Benin, he noticed gender equality all around him, from children playing together at a young age to mixed-gender cultural groups to womens involvement in economic activities. We're not talking about 1750 or 1870. September 16, 2022 Cast Viola Davis as Nanisca; Lashana Lynch as Izogie; John Boyega as King Ghezo; Thuso Mbedu as Nawi; Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Santo Ferreira; Jordan Bolger as Malik; Jimmy Odukoya as Oba Ade Home Release Date TBD Director Gina Prince-Bythewood Distributor TriStar Pictures Reviewer Bob Hoose Movie Review Nawi wants to be happy. Hero Fiennes Tiffin . This attitude of denial in the face of historical truth echoes the response by proponents of the 1619 Project, who flat-out refuse to accept the criticisms of that works factual basis. Viola Davis stars as General Nanisca in "The Woman King." AP Alongside Davis, John Boyega plays Dahomey ruler King Ghezo. It is corrupting to the soul, and ultimately self-defeating. Ghezo, who spied an opportunity to boost Dahomey's military and monetary power, forged a partnership with Francisco Flix de Sousa, a Brazilian merchant and slave trader who set up post in the port city of Ouidah, Manning said. The Woman King opens in 1823, the year that King Ghezo finally freed Dahomey from its tributary status. At that point Dakpo and Adandozan led a brief fight within the palaces. The dream-interpreting Agojie warrior Amenza is portrayed in The Woman King by Sheila Atim. The Bradford Observer of March 24, 1859 noting the death of Ghezo, whom they label a scourge of the human race has the details: He attacked them, burnt their towns, carried off the choicest people, and when his own violence was unsuccessful, his intrigues introduced civil war, which completed their ruin.. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. The king before Ghezo, Adandozan, is known to have expressed opposition [as well]. Oyo then sent a larger force that was 4,000 strong, including cavalry, and camped near the village of Kpaloko. Prince-Bythewood has credited Black Panther with helping to pave the way for this filmespecially in an industry in which the stories of people of color have not always been prioritized by studios. There is even a mid-credits sequence where Ameza does a mourning ritual for her fallen comrades a great, moving coda for the film. You might see those institutions of women in isolation, as if it came from the sky or somewhere, Wantchekon says. Five percent of slave exports come from Dahomey, Wantchekon says. The ending mostly sticks the landing of showcasing and celebrating this theme of female empowerment. Wantchekon, the historical advisor, is from Benin, and was born a mile away from the former palace of King Glele, the son of King Ghezo, the ruling monarch in The Woman King (played by John Boyega.) Zozibini Tunzi as Efe South African model Zozibini Tunzi makes her movie debut with The Woman King. Today, Brad channels his thoughts on all manner of movies, from comic book films, sci-fi thrillers, comedies, and everything in between through his writings on Screen Rant. Initially, after the coup against Adandozan, Ghezo had to secure support from a number of different individuals who helped bring him to power. The Woman King, a new historical action epic starring Viola Davis, has been treated to laudatory reviews by the corporate press. Ghzo is famous for having completely reorganized his nation. What were the themes, and how well were they implemented by the end? [4] Since 1730, Dahomey had provided yearly tribute to the Oyo empire and some of its economic and military policy was controlled by Oyo interests. Growing up, Brad developed an innate love of movies and storytelling, and was instantly enamored with the world of adventure while following the exploits of Indiana Jones, Japanese kaiju, and superheroes. Set in 1823, the movie tells how King Ghezo of Dahomey uses the female warriors to defeat the African Kingdom of the Oyo Empire, which was allegedly supported by Portuguese slave traders. But the Agojieand the Dahomeyare not without complexity. What of the films supposed focus on female empowerment? But it goes much deeper than that. Ghezo defeated these forces at a battle near Paouingnan. In addition to the military victories, domestic dissent, and slave trade, Ghezo is also credited with expanding the arts significantly and giving royal status to many artisans to move to the capital of Abomey. His reasons for doing so were may have been less altruistic than depicted, but still, it is something. Ghezo, also spelled Gezo, was King of Dahomey (present-day Republic of Benin) from 1818 until 1859.Ghezo replaced his brother Adandozan (who ruled from 1797 to 1818) as king through a coup with the assistance of the Brazilian slave trader Francisco Flix de Sousa.He ruled over the kingdom during a tumultuous period, punctuated by the British blockade of the ports of Dahomey in order to stop . Violence escalated in 1823 when Oyo sent an ambassador to demand tribute and Ghezo killed him. If "Woman King" is about female empowerment and equality, it makes sense that it would also talk about how men must be willing to step aside and not stand in the way of that empowerment. Sheila Atim . Various causes of death have been suggested, including poisoning by Dahomey priests upset at the ending of human sacrifice, smallpox,[6] or death in battle. But they are products of a social environment that enables women to do anything they want to do or they can doincluding going to war.. In her latest film, she plays General Nanisca, a bad-ass in her. [11], Vastly outnumbered and outgunned, King Ghezo joined forces with King Kosoko, the Oba of Lagos. The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the . He rose to fame playing Finn in the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy. "THE WOMAN KING" (2022) (Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu) (PG-13) QUICK TAKE: Drama/Action: The leader of an army of African female soldiers must contend with her past while also dealing with growing factions that intend to defeat their kingdom. The professor acknowledges that the involvement of the Dahomey Kingdom in the slave tradeand the existence of the trade itselfwas a tragedy. King Gezo made many of them one of his untold number of wives." (The Times, London, England, Monday 08 April 1850). But the negative assertion Nanisca has about love gets challenged, and proves to ultimately be false. John Boyega's King Ghezo is the only character based on a real person. Even a rivalry between Nawi and Ode (Adrienne Warren, "Orange is the New Black") during training is short-lived, used to fuel their eventual trust and camaraderie. [11] He also put stipulations on Dahomey's participation in the slave trade. Though numerous characters in The Woman King are fictional, others like John Boyega's Dahomey King Ghezo give the film a firm grounding in history. 3-min read. Here's a spoiler alert, per the Smithsonian: The Woman King opens in 1823 with a successful raid by the Agojie, who free captives bound for enslavement from the clutches of the Oyo Empire, a . It debuted to a $19 million opening weekend, almost double what it was expected to perform at. Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis portrays the Agojie general Nanisca. During our chat at the Toronto Internationa. Cookies help us deliver our Services. But, as the investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones pointed out on Twitter before the movie came out, the Dahomey did derive some of their wealth from participating in the slave trade. Secondly, he needed to revitalize the Dahomey economy. Not only does the movie massage the events of the past to fit a progressive narrative, it outright reverses the polarity of history entirely and makes heroic a kingdom that was, in reality, one of the biggest drivers of the slave trade. Unlike Davis . But that doesnt stop it from being a must-see. Yahoo, when discussing the issue, labeled these historical problems as merely perceived inaccuracies, while the movies director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, has declined to see any issues whatsoever with the way the reality of Dahomey is depicted in her work. King Ghezo: Hero Fiennes Tiffin . Directed by Gina Prince- Bythewood of The Old Guard fame, The Woman King stars Viola Davis as General Nanisca the leader of the Agojie, who stand as the Dahomey nation's fiercest line of defense. When European history is discussed, he points out, scholars acknowledge the continents heavy involvement in the slave trade (or at least, they are starting to do so more now), and simultaneously recognize the contributions that each nation made to the world. Its not very surprising that something that extraordinary, like these female warriors, arose from these institutions.. [2] It is quite likely that the initial struggle was more violent than this story relates. Ghezo is featured in the novel Flash for Freedom! Ghezo was assassinated in 1859, and his son Glele became the new king. While "The Woman King" refers to itself as "inspired" by real events,what it lacks in historical accuracy it makes up in terms of being a big-budget historical epic with diverse representation both in front-and-behind the camera. Oba Ade: Masali Baduza . It only takes a brief look at the primary sources to completely debunk the entire plot of The Woman King.. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar-winner Viola Davis) as she . "The Woman King" has stormed into theaters. and the ritual itself is not an object of mockery, treated with the same reverence as something like Christian prayer. She also knew, with her stab at the genre in The Woman King, she'd be making one . [11] Jealous of the attention and goods that the Egba were received from the British and fearful of what it would mean for Dahomey, King Ghezo decided to act. The Georgia Senate Race Is Going to a Runoff. Movies. The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Here is the cast of The Woman King and the various roles they portray in the movie. Thingshave gotten better lately, and this film mostly comes out unscathed. And I think we got it right.. That's not to mention wars that were actually fought for freedom from oppression (and not just as foot soldiers for corrupt corporations,) such as the American Civil War, World War II, and The Bay of Pigs. John Boyega stars as Finn in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. In "The Woman King," he plays King Ghezo, who works alongside Viola Davis' fearless warrior general Nanisca. Set in the 1820s, the film stars Viola Davis as a general who trains the next generation of warriors to fight their enemies. He suffered losses to the Mahi people to the north of Dahomey and was unable to secure enough individuals to meet slave demands, leading him to sell citizens of Dahomey, a quite unpopular decision.[6]. All Rights Reserved. Much of Wantchekons research focuses on the social and political conditions within Dahomey that allowed for the rise of the elite women warriors. Only when you're fighting for love, family and community, is the pain and struggle of war and battle worth it, as the film suggests in it final denouement. So, by the end of the film, Nanisca has learned to value motherhood, and even romantic love, rather than bottling it up, as she did at the beginning of the film. [6] The British believed that Ghezo never implemented the provisions of this treaty, although he believed he did comply by stopping slave trade through Dahomey's ports even though he allowed slaves to be traded from Dahomey to other ports and then sold into the slave trade. That same year, he told Consul Beecroft and Commander Forbes that he planned to attack Abeokuta, and if the British didn't help him end the palm oil trade in Abeokuta by evacuating the capital, Dahomey would also see the British as an enemy. It basically takes African spirituality, gods, rituals, mythology and traditions seriously, which is a welcome relief. Its a massive number of human lives, he says, out of the total number, across Africa, of roughly 12.5 million people enslaved. In the movie, King Ghezo and General Nanisca have a unique rapport: she is, essentially, his right-hand woman, and advises him closely on military tactics. [11] The Egbas, who did not participate in slavery, had set their sights on becoming the new palm oil capital of the region; a title King Ghezo needed to steer the Dahomey Kingdom away for slavery. While Davis' character is fictional, "The Woman King" roots its characters in true historical accounts, like those of a soldier named Nanisca and another named Nawi. One of the most prominent spiritual warriors is Nanisca's close friend and confidant, Ameza (Sheila Atim, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness"). For instance, NBC ran a review titled: The Woman King may not be 100% factual. Visually vibrant and stunning, this film features a nearly all-Black cast with Academy Award Winner Viola Davis at the forefront. It is claimed that there was a prophecy made in the early 1850s that if Ghezo attacked the city of Ekpo, under the control of Abeokuta, he would die as a result. The Dahomey soon face a new challenge in battling the Oyo Empire, who sell captives into slavery for European weaponry. That need for upheaval, revolution, and change, never comes out of nowhere. However, by 1858, a conservative faction pressured Ghezo to begin large-scale military operations again with an assault on Abeokuta to follow. Audiences may know Lynch best for her roles as Maria Rambeau in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, specifically in Captain Marvel and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as well as her portrayal of MI6 agent Nomi in the 2021 James Bond movie No Time To Die. "[8], In 1851, Ghezo organized a direct attack on the city of Abeokuta, but it did not succeed. ), Read more: Theres a True Story Behind Black Panthers Strong Women. Residing comfortably in the sweet spot between historical drama, action and entertainment is "The Woman King," a thrilling epic starring Viola Davis ("The Suicide Squad,") Lashana Lynch ("No Time to Die,") Thuso Mbedu ("The Underground Railroad,") and John Boyega (the "Star Wars" sequels), written and directed by "Love & Basketball" mastermind Gina Prince-Bythewood. Played by John Boyega, King Ghezo was an actual historical figure, as shown in "The Woman King." According to Dahomeyan history . To the film's credit, the real King Ghezo did rely on and trust a strong group of female warriors, as depicted in the film. What is known is that around 1818, Adandozan imprisoned Francisco Flix de Sousa, a powerful Afro-Brazilian slave trader, when the latter demanded repayment for money loaned to Adandozan. Because all the training that it took, all the preparation it took, its actually something that happened. [1] In So Lus, in the state of Maranho, she would have founded the Casa das Minas (House of Minas), an important temple that originated the Tambor de Mina, an Afro-Brazilian religion, establishing the cult of the ancestors of the royal family (voduns). [6], To secure the support of different powerful people, Ghezo provided many of them with important positions. [1], When King Ghezo ascended the throne in 1818, he was confronted by two immediate obstacles: the Kingdom of Dahomey was in politically turmoil, and it was financially unstable. The Woman King is a prime example of how the left lies to appease its narrative. The sheer existence of the Agojie was an anomaly: European visitors referred to them as the Dahomey Amazons in reference to the all-female Amazon warriors of Greek mythology. The Woman King - watch online: streaming, buy or rent. The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. Dahomey would focus on capturing people from enemy territories and trading them instead. King Ghezo ruled the. Boyega made his film debut in 2011's Attack the Block, and shot to worldwide recognition with his role as Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. The film, in the end, argues that sometimes violent upheaval is the only way to get the corrupt and the powerful to listen and take steps towards true justice. In 184950, under the direction of British Governor William Winniett, British naval officer Frederick E. Forbes went on two missions to the court of King Ghezo "in an unsuccessful attempt to convince him to end involvement in the slave trade. Today, a major Benin Armed Forces base in Cotonou is named 'Camp Ghezo' after the former king. [3], Ghezo's rule was defined by some important military victories, domestic dissent, and transformation of the slave trade economy. In the 1818 Annual Customs, it is said that Ghezo appeared holding the war drum in the palace. With the further reduction of Oyo power in the region, Ghezo was more able to expand militarily against the Mahi and the Gbe people to the southwest of Dahomey after the mid-1820s. The South African-born Mbedu has previously had roles on numerous TV series, including leading Saints and Sinners as Boni Khumalo. Conservatives and historians could ask for no better example of this absurdity than a film that presents a genocidal, slave-raiding kingdom as beneficent defenders of freedom. Santo Ferreira: Jimmy Odukoya . Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital This is one of the few plot threads left dangling at the end of the film, and it's interesting to think about what happened after the credits rolled. [+] 2022 Invision. [7] The Fly faction grew more powerful with the British naval blockade of 1852 and Ghezo eventually agreed to end the slave trade; however, the Elephant faction and the interests of de Souza's family remained important for the rest of his reign. King Ghezo (John Boyega) - The Woman King Sony Pictures Finally, he has freed Dahomey from the yoke of Oyo State as told in The Woman King. After the credits roll, you may find yourself asking: What does the ending of "The Woman King" really mean? He also acknowledges that multiple facets can be true, and highlighted, at the same time: a society can be forward-thinking and advanced in one regard while causing immeasurable harm in another. "We are talking about a specific time [in history], 1823. Amenza. Viola Davis in The Woman King Viola Davis (General Nanisca) The star of The Woman King, Viola Davis, has truly been all over. King Ghezo of Dahomey gets really upset and prepares for a war with the Oyo Empire. November 7, 2022. Menu. [11] Instead, King Ghezo proposed an expansion of palm oil trade[6] and a gradual abolishment of the slave trade. In terms of history corroborating The Woman Kings fiction, the similarities end there. The truth is, this happened due to pressure from Britain, and not due to self . [6], The details of Ghezo's death are different depending on the historical source. He promised to end the slave trade in 1852, but resumed slave efforts in 1857. Mike Cot is a writer and podcaster focusing on history, Great Power rivalry, and geopolitics. [11] In March 1851, the attack was carried out and the Egba triumphed with British support. Adrienne Warren as Ode: Warren makes her film debut with The Woman King, with her theater work including productions of The Wiz, Dream Girls, and Bring It On. [11] King William Dappa Pepple of Bonny and Kosoko took the same stance towards the British requests. Siv Ngesi as the Migan: Prior to The Woman King, Ngesi's film credits include movies like The World Unseen, Invictus, and Knuckle City, along with TV shows like Still Breathing and JIVA! We've seen this all throughout history, whether it's with slave revolts (such as the Haitian Revolution in 1804, where the slaves successfully pushed their French oppressors out); the October Revolution in 1917 that deposed a corrupt monarchy; the bombings that occurred to procure thelong-overdue women's right to vote in America; or even more recently with things like the Stonewall Riots, where an LGBTQ+ community fought back against police and won, or the six day riots that led to Congress finally passing the Civil Rights Bill in 1965. As Martin Luther King, Jr. once said "riots are the voice of the unheard." While "The Woman King" may deal with female empowerment and camaraderie, not allthe female characters get along. During the 1800s, the new king, King Ghezo, began creating a more formalized structure for his military, which included the Agojie. Makgotso M as Iniya: Makgotso M made her movie debut with 2015's Ayanda, and has also been seen on shows like Is'Thunzi and Shuga.