Beyonce's 'Black Is King' is a celebration of Black resilience and culture. Courtesy Disney
Beyonce's 'Black Is King' is a celebration of Black resilience and culture. Courtesy Disney
Beyonce's 'Black Is King' is a celebration of Black resilience and culture. Courtesy Disney
Beyonce's 'Black Is King' is a celebration of Black resilience and culture. Courtesy Disney

'Black is King': Five takeaways from Beyonce's new film trailer


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

She's won countless industry awards, founded an entertainment company, launched a fashion line and even created a just-as-famous alter ego, but now Beyonce is trying her hand at artistic filmmaking, as she's announced the debut of her own visual album on Disney+ this July.

Black Is King will be a celebration of Black culture, and will premiere globally on the streaming service on Friday, July 31.

Queen Bey dropped the first trailer for the film on Sunday, and these are our five takeaways.

It's inspired by 'The Lion King'

July 31 also marks the first anniversary of the release of Disney's live-action remake of The Lion King.

The new film aims to reimagine the lessons of that film "for today's young kings and queens in search of their own crowns", a statement explains.

Beyonce created a soundtrack album for 'The Lion King'. AFP
Beyonce created a soundtrack album for 'The Lion King'. AFP

It is based on the music of Beyonce's soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift and stars featured artists, which included Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell, 070 Shake, Tierra Whack, Jay Z, Blue Ivy Carter and Jessie Reyez, as well as African artists including Wizkid, Shatta Wale, Burna Boy, Mr Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Tekno, Yemi Alade, Busiswa and Salatiel.

There will also be some other guest appearances in the film.

It's going to be a true feast for the eyes

Judging by the trailer, which runs for more than one minute, no expenses have been spared in the making of this film.

The chosen clips prove it's an amalgamation of over-the-top costumes, interspersed with special effects and some incredible choreography, naturally.

Watch the full trailer here:

It's a story about a young king

The voyages of Black families throughout time are honoured in the film, the statement tells us. It's about a young king's journey through betrayal, love and self identity, as his ancestors help guide him to his destiny. He uses his father's teachings, as well as guidance from his childhood love, to earn the virtues he needs in order to reclaim his home and throne.

It's a celebration of Black culture

The lessons of the young king are reflected through voices of today, "now sitting in their own power", says the statement.

Overall, this story aims to emphasise the beauty of tradition, and celebrate Black resilience, culture and excellence. It is "an affirmation of a grand purpose, with lush visuals".

Videos for My Power, Mood 4 Eva and Brown Skin Girl are set to be elegant and soulful.

"The film is a story for the ages that informs and rebuilds the present. A reunion of cultures and shared generational beliefs. A story of how the people left most broken have an extraordinary gift and a purposeful future."

Beyonce has something very significant to say

The singer-songwriter also recently released a surprise single called Black Parade, on Juneteenth. She announced on her website that proceeds from the song will benefit Black-owned small businesses through her BeyGOOD initiative.

"Black excellence is a form of protest," the post on her site said. "Black joy is your right."

Last night, she also received the humanitarian award at the BET Awards, and dedicated this accolade to Black Lives Matter protesters in America, urging them to vote in the coming elections.

“I want to dedicate this award to all of my brothers out there, all of my sisters out there inspiring me, marching and fighting for change," she said in her acceptance speech.

Beyonce accepts the humanitarian award during the 2020 BET Awards. BET via AP
Beyonce accepts the humanitarian award during the 2020 BET Awards. BET via AP

"Your voices are being heard and you’re proving to our ancestors that their struggles were not in vain. Now we have one more thing we need to do to walk in our true power, and that is to vote.

“I’m encouraging you to continue to take action, continue to change and dismantle a racist and unequal system."

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

The specs

Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors

Transmission: two-speed

Power: 671hp

Torque: 849Nm

Range: 456km

Price: from Dh437,900 

On sale: now

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

While you're here
The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Neo%20Mobility%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20February%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abhishek%20Shah%20and%20Anish%20Garg%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Delta%20Corp%2C%20Pyse%20Sustainability%20Fund%2C%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Small%20Things%20Like%20These
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THURSDAY'S FIXTURES

4pm Maratha Arabians v Northern Warriors

6.15pm Deccan Gladiators v Pune Devils

8.30pm Delhi Bulls v Bangla Tigers

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

De De Pyaar De

Produced: Luv Films, YRF Films
Directed: Akiv Ali
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Rakul Preet Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jaaved Jaffrey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg

Roma 4
Milner (15' OG), Dzeko (52'), Nainggolan (86', 90 4')

Liverpool 2
Mane (9'), Wijnaldum (25')

DUNE%3A%20PART%20TWO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Denis%20Villeneuve%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Timothee%20Chamalet%2C%20Zendaya%2C%20Austin%20Butler%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
AIDA%20RETURNS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarol%20Mansour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAida%20Abboud%2C%20Carol%20Mansour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5.%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mobile phone packages comparison
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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Korean Film Festival 2019 line-up

Innocent Witness, June 26 at 7pm

On Your Wedding Day, June 27 at 7pm

The Great Battle, June 27 at 9pm

The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, June 28 at 4pm

Romang, June 28 at 6pm

Mal Mo E: The Secret Mission, June 28 at 8pm

Underdog, June 29 at 2pm

Nearby Sky, June 29 at 4pm

A Resistance, June 29 at 6pm 

 

MADAME%20WEB
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20S.J.%20Clarkson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Dakota%20Johnson%2C%20Tahar%20Rahim%2C%20Sydney%20Sweeney%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press