Without the King

Name: Without the King
Genre: Documentary
Released: April 25, 2008
Duration: 83 min
Rating: 55

2008

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Mixed or average reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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Movie Details & Credits

First Run Features | Release Date: April 25, 2008

Summary: Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival, this acclaimed film tells an astonishing story of Africa’s last absolute monarchy, the Kingdom of Swaziland. King Mswati III, a distant figure out of touch with his home and country, rules by decree and lives a life of luxury together with his 12 wives,Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival, this acclaimed film tells an astonishing story of Africa’s last absolute monarchy, the Kingdom of Swaziland. King Mswati III, a distant figure out of touch with his home and country, rules by decree and lives a life of luxury together with his 12 wives, while his subjects suffer from crushing poverty and the world’s highest HIV infection rate. With unprecedented access, we meet headstrong first wife Queen LaMbikiza, eldest child and teen rapper, Princess Sikhanyiso, King Mswati himself, as well as many Swazi citizens who are plotting his downfall. Filmmaker Michael Skolnik captures the birth of a nation's revolution, and the dawning awareness of a young Swazi princess as she realizes the contrast between her impoverished country and her lavish lifestyle. (First Run Features)… Expand

Director: Michael Skolnik

Genre(s): Documentary

Runtime: 83 min

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Critic Reviews

Jeannette Catsoulis

The film, fluidly shot by James Adolphus, remains deeply sensitive to the complexities of a culture whose attachment to monarchy contravenes its best interests. This dilemma is gradually becoming clear to Princess Sikhanyiso, the oldest of the king's 22 children and a student in California. Intelligent, articulate, caring and strong-willed, she could be her country's best hope. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Ken Fox

Intelligent but incomplete-feeling documentary. Read full review

V.A. Musetto

By far the film's most interesting subject is the king's eldest daughter, 18-year-old Princess Sikhanyiso, who likes to be known as Pashu. She's a self-styled rapper who goes to a Catholic college in California and acts like the spoiled rich kid that she is. Read full review

Vadim Rizov

A cut above the average Quad-bound video agit-prop doc, Michael Skolnik's Without the King succeeds mostly through negative virtues. Read full review

Ronnie Scheib

With Swaziland providing this mother lode of material, helmer Michael Skolnik extracts only the most pedestrian of films. Read full review

Ernest Hardy

A curious mixture of banality and revelation. Read full review

Phil Hall

It is a shame the film doesn't cast a wider net into deeper political waters – the outrage is barely scratched in this production. Read full review

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bradens584

Apr 4, 2020

Without the King is a documentary film about the situation surrounding the suppression of democracy in Swaziland (the last African country to maintain the monarchy). It is possibly one of the most engaging and nuanced documentaries I’ve ever seen. Talking not just to the suppressed people,Without the King is a documentary film about the situation surrounding the suppression of democracy in Swaziland (the last African country to maintain the monarchy). It is possibly one of the most engaging and nuanced documentaries I’ve ever seen. Talking not just to the suppressed people, but giving the royal family ample time to explain their motives and rationale. Themes of culture, suppression, freedom, love and privilege are all explored in depth. The fact that their is no narrator or presenter may be a negative for some viewers, but it is all part of the unbiased picture that this film paints. Also one of the best endings I’ve seen in a documentary.… Expand

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