![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L7JAWC4OYZFX3EIFJ2NIL4MPOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=720b61312018594f5695cae197a5752d71100e4a485b41287bc15a344ad928a9&width=400&height=225)
It is out now in the US and will hit UAE cinemas on October 6.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OR57MLRBGVFPRPWWRNJUQVEL7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=6ce59da7ae40000359e48ea97a584990392e009a11a8e22d39418e857138bb4d&width=400&height=225)
'The Woman King' is based on the true story of the elite female soldiers of the Agojie, protectors of Dahomey, a historic kingdom in West Africa. Viola Davis, left, stars as Nanisca. All photos: Sony Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S6Q4V5IDAVC6DMFCBUD4Y4FYUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=f6c707124a6855b974a1f05c5564c1b1e15a0cb9b214e26b4ef33c18eb2d611f&width=400&height=225)
John Boyega, right, tells 'The National' he was determined to play a part in the film, adding: 'I wanted my name to be mentioned when they say that this is one of the projects that prompts conversations in the industry.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WUNVHAY56JGGTMQYXLAESR4UBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=daed08952962afbf543aecf1d705e368a4afe4f2d54219104e0bfdbbfe7bb2bc&width=400&height=225)
Director Gina Prince-Bythewood says her hope is that 'success begets success', having been able to get the green light following the triumph of 'Black Panther'.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NVBGVSB6FFATXIB4VQRPYPF7KQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=981ba5e8fea671ab8b7157384082986038b082b2e04e4f83454abc1b9183dfc6&width=400&height=225)
Prince-Bythewood says 'Wonder Woman' changed the game, adding: 'Then 'Black Panther' opened the doors to move into this bigger sandbox and do bigger films like this, but the numbers are still dismal. Certainly for black female directors.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HM5JYPCD2RG3XBKMOKRI3EUC2M.jpg?smart=true&auth=c0d328e47e66b0f3a15d31edc8db84264d5fbe8b3ff8421f21b8d7f4051f7d1c&width=400&height=225)
Viola Davis says: 'It's not just that it's black, female-led, the cultural significance of it. It's that it’s a very entertaining movie.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BD37WVN2MZHZNJZKXCJKGBVMQ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3dfb76b4ade3b116c76683e092ddc46735afe283962db80e3095b7ab55f315e6&width=400&height=225)
The film was shot in South Africa — mostly Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal — with a largely local crew and supporting cast, including Thuso Mbedu, pictured, who plays Nawi.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M23OIE4SGNGOZEJCGFYVAPZPCE.jpg?smart=true&auth=53eea3cf73062405856360400aee476d80ce42d9497f5003a01c031a2e7d5c2d&width=400&height=225)
The film centres on a group of West African warriors determined to protect their way of life. First row from left, Lashana Lynch, Davis, Shelia Atim; second row from left, Sisipho Mbopa, Lone Motsomi and Chioma Umeala.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LXMOT6VZVZFIBO6KWTDD6XLUO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a705cb91864ec67a0ada0c7855b83cf628dbc5b1d4273375ee8dd350631bbadf&width=400&height=225)
Davis encourages audiences to support the film, adding: 'Do it for the future, the world you want to see.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D235H5XZYFDFFNKIS5G57AANQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=bf1957b3284ed5f73aa2e8473dc1372bbf1bf5d906fac7d8a6170a4ed94f73fc&width=400&height=225)
Sony Pictures is hoping to make a statement with 'The Woman King'.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L7JAWC4OYZFX3EIFJ2NIL4MPOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=720b61312018594f5695cae197a5752d71100e4a485b41287bc15a344ad928a9&width=400&height=225)
It is out now in the US and will hit UAE cinemas on October 6.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OR57MLRBGVFPRPWWRNJUQVEL7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=6ce59da7ae40000359e48ea97a584990392e009a11a8e22d39418e857138bb4d&width=400&height=225)
'The Woman King' is based on the true story of the elite female soldiers of the Agojie, protectors of Dahomey, a historic kingdom in West Africa. Viola Davis, left, stars as Nanisca. All photos: Sony Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S6Q4V5IDAVC6DMFCBUD4Y4FYUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=f6c707124a6855b974a1f05c5564c1b1e15a0cb9b214e26b4ef33c18eb2d611f&width=400&height=225)
John Boyega, right, tells 'The National' he was determined to play a part in the film, adding: 'I wanted my name to be mentioned when they say that this is one of the projects that prompts conversations in the industry.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WUNVHAY56JGGTMQYXLAESR4UBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=daed08952962afbf543aecf1d705e368a4afe4f2d54219104e0bfdbbfe7bb2bc&width=400&height=225)
Director Gina Prince-Bythewood says her hope is that 'success begets success', having been able to get the green light following the triumph of 'Black Panther'.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NVBGVSB6FFATXIB4VQRPYPF7KQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=981ba5e8fea671ab8b7157384082986038b082b2e04e4f83454abc1b9183dfc6&width=400&height=225)
Prince-Bythewood says 'Wonder Woman' changed the game, adding: 'Then 'Black Panther' opened the doors to move into this bigger sandbox and do bigger films like this, but the numbers are still dismal. Certainly for black female directors.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HM5JYPCD2RG3XBKMOKRI3EUC2M.jpg?smart=true&auth=c0d328e47e66b0f3a15d31edc8db84264d5fbe8b3ff8421f21b8d7f4051f7d1c&width=400&height=225)
Viola Davis says: 'It's not just that it's black, female-led, the cultural significance of it. It's that it’s a very entertaining movie.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BD37WVN2MZHZNJZKXCJKGBVMQ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3dfb76b4ade3b116c76683e092ddc46735afe283962db80e3095b7ab55f315e6&width=400&height=225)
The film was shot in South Africa — mostly Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal — with a largely local crew and supporting cast, including Thuso Mbedu, pictured, who plays Nawi.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M23OIE4SGNGOZEJCGFYVAPZPCE.jpg?smart=true&auth=53eea3cf73062405856360400aee476d80ce42d9497f5003a01c031a2e7d5c2d&width=400&height=225)
The film centres on a group of West African warriors determined to protect their way of life. First row from left, Lashana Lynch, Davis, Shelia Atim; second row from left, Sisipho Mbopa, Lone Motsomi and Chioma Umeala.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LXMOT6VZVZFIBO6KWTDD6XLUO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a705cb91864ec67a0ada0c7855b83cf628dbc5b1d4273375ee8dd350631bbadf&width=400&height=225)
Davis encourages audiences to support the film, adding: 'Do it for the future, the world you want to see.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D235H5XZYFDFFNKIS5G57AANQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=bf1957b3284ed5f73aa2e8473dc1372bbf1bf5d906fac7d8a6170a4ed94f73fc&width=400&height=225)
Sony Pictures is hoping to make a statement with 'The Woman King'.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L7JAWC4OYZFX3EIFJ2NIL4MPOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=720b61312018594f5695cae197a5752d71100e4a485b41287bc15a344ad928a9&width=400&height=225)
It is out now in the US and will hit UAE cinemas on October 6.
'The Woman King': Viola Davis, John Boyega and Gina Prince-Bythewood on changing ideas
The black, female-led film is a cultural milestone — here, its director and stars reveal what's at stake
Chris Newbould
17 September, 2022
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