By Kimberly Grant
We’ve all heard the saying “the future is female”. It was a saying to reiterate how many women were standing with Hilary Clinton during her presidential run. It was a rallying cry when women stood against the patriarchy. We were fed up with being treated as less than because of our gender by elected officials who didn’t have our best interest at heart. Five years later, the future is still female. But what about the past? The past was female, as well.
Sony Pictures’ latest film, The Woman King, gives audiences a glimpse at herstory with a stellar, mostly black female cast led by Viola Davis. Davis also produced the film with her husband Julius Tennon.
The Woman King will release in theaters on September 16.
The Dahomey Kingdom
The Woman King is based on the historical events of the Kingdom of Dahomey in turn of the 19th century West Africa; which is now called Benin. The Dahomey Kingdom is a rich nation, in which a good portion of its wealth comes from the Transatlantic Slave Trade of their enemies; like other African nations of the time. But their trade is not what makes Dahomey memorable.
It’s the Kingdom’s all-woman warrior unit called the Agojie. The Agojie are considered the fiercest army unit in Africa and they have a formidable enemy in the Kingdom of the Oyo. The Oyo want to conquer Dahomey and end their way of life. The Oyo army, led by Oba Ade (played by Jimmy Odukoya), rape and pillage enemy tribes, while selling their captives to European slaver traders.
The Story of the Legends
In the story written by Maria Bello and Dana Stevens, the Kingdom of Dahomey is at a crossroads. They are on the brink of war with the Oyo and the General of the Agojie, Nanisca (Davis), is lobbying for the kingdom to change the way they pursue their wealth. Dahomey’s practice of selling their enemies to European slavers is bothering her conscious.
But General Nanisca faces opposition from others within the royal court of Dahomey. Without trying to, she is poised to become what the Dahomey call a Woman King. Keeping with Dahomey tradition, there would be two kings (male and female) who have equal power and rule over the Dahomey people. Before General Nanisca can even be nominated, she and the Agojie must defeat the Oyo Kingdom’s army.
Meanwhile, the audience meets Nawi (Thuso Mbedu). Nawi’s father is fed up with her behavior and lack of prospects for a husband, so he drags her to King Ghezo’s (John Boyega) palace where he gives her to the king. If you’re thinking that Nawi’s father’s actions are cruel, you’re correct. His actions are indicative of the time that these women lived in. Seeing the warrior spirit within Nawi, Agojie warrior Izogie (Lashana Lynch) takes Nawi under her wing as a mentor.
The Elite Agojie Warriors
Let’s talk about the Agojie, who are the real-life inspiration for the Dora Milaje in Black Panther. The reason why the Agojie are getting the movie treatment is because of how fierce they were as warriors, especially in a time when their parents treated them like they were worthless. Not to spoil the movie, but one of the Agojie shares a heartbreaking story about her mother selling her virginity to multiple men when she was a young girl. Yes, these are the types of hardships these women faced. Add to that the threat of being captured and placed on a slave ship and it’s easy to see why the Agojie fight so fiercely.
The Agojie, being the elite guards of the Dahomey Kingdom, are revered by their people and considered the highly trained wives of the king. They are so revered that the common folk cannot look on them when they are outside of the palace. Once the Agojie enter their females-only sanctuary, no man is allowed to enter. And, they hold a significant amount of sway when it comes to the king’s inner circle. In return, they take a vow never to have a husband or a child. And, they train harder than their male counterparts.
Passes the Bechdel Test
Gina Prince-Bythewood (the same woman who brought us Love & Basketball, The Secret Life of Bees, and The Old Guard) directs a cast of fierce ladies for a film that passes the Bechdel Test. These ladies don’t just embody the warrior women who protect the Kingdom of Dahomey. These ladies show a true spirit of sisterhood and camaraderie that’s lacking in reality TV. They are not about looking pretty. No. Their scars are a source of pride to show that they have survived battles in service to their king.
Prince-Bythewood is able to, not only help bring these legendary warriors to life, but tell a story of triumph that has heart and makes the audience think about the richness of the African culture. Other actresses who portray the Agojie are: Sheila Atim, Shaina West, Makgotso M, Thando Dlomo, Ann Akinjirin, and Adrienne Warren.
The Woman King is a beautiful movie and a great way to show support for the African women who gave up their livelihood to protect their kingdom and inspired one of the highest grossing Marvel movies. The past and the future are definitely female.
Interested in other good movies? You can read my review of Bullet Train here.
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