The Woman King Review
I had the pleasure and privilege of watching The Woman King this weekend, a film directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood— it doesn’t disappoint! It is not only brilliant in its story telling and acting by a powerhouse cast of amazingly talented and sublime Black women and men; but the love, ferocity, tenderness, dignity, and humanity that was performed was breathtaking. My reactions were visceral; I breathed deeply, shouted, cringed, cussed, celebrated, and danced with these women.
This movie is a classic! It’s teachable beyond its historical references of the Agojie, an all female army of “mi nah rump” women who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800’s. And, then there’s Black feminism/womanism, African spirituality, African and African Diaspora cultural theory…which are all of massive proportions. This film is the embodiment and manifestation of survival, power, mothering/motherhood, and Ovahstanding the assignment! There is not enough time to discuss the choreographed fight scenes and the costumes (which I would definitely rock). Yassss ma’am! It’s giving chiseled core, arms, back and legs hunny! Just go and see the movie!
Moving Forward:
I am (re)thinking my own work/performance of the Warrior Woman (CariDad) that I constructed and how I can/should/need to approach this project with the superb level of attention and care to Black womanhood, virtuosity, and erotic performance (my dissertation research!) that I witnessed on screen. This is one of THE BEST movies I have seen in a longgggggg time. You is a boss Ms. Viola! No, you is a Woman King!!! Big up ya self!❤️❤️ Thank you to Viola Davis, her cadre of Warrior Women, and supreme production team for centering us and showing us that we are more than enough and have always been.
Image 1. Black woman at dinner prior to seeing Woman King thinking about the wonderment soon to come.
Image 2. CariDad Warrior Woman (2022)
Photographer:Melanie Valle
I had the pleasure and privilege of watching The Woman King this weekend, a film directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood— it doesn’t disappoint! It is not only brilliant in its story telling and acting by a powerhouse cast of amazingly talented and sublime Black women and men; but the love, ferocity, tenderness, dignity, and humanity that was performed was breathtaking. My reactions were visceral; I breathed deeply, shouted, cringed, cussed, celebrated, and danced with these women.
This movie is a classic! It’s teachable beyond its historical references of the Agojie, an all female army of “mi nah rump” women who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800’s. And, then there’s Black feminism/womanism, African spirituality, African and African Diaspora cultural theory…which are all of massive proportions. This film is the embodiment and manifestation of survival, power, mothering/motherhood, and Ovahstanding the assignment! There is not enough time to discuss the choreographed fight scenes and the costumes (which I would definitely rock). Yassss ma’am! It’s giving chiseled core, arms, back and legs hunny! Just go and see the movie!
Moving Forward:
I am (re)thinking my own work/performance of the Warrior Woman (CariDad) that I constructed and how I can/should/need to approach this project with the superb level of attention and care to Black womanhood, virtuosity, and erotic performance (my dissertation research!) that I witnessed on screen. This is one of THE BEST movies I have seen in a longgggggg time. You is a boss Ms. Viola! No, you is a Woman King!!! Big up ya self!❤️❤️ Thank you to Viola Davis, her cadre of Warrior Women, and supreme production team for centering us and showing us that we are more than enough and have always been.
Image 1. Black woman at dinner prior to seeing Woman King thinking about the wonderment soon to come.
Image 2. CariDad Warrior Woman (2022)
Photographer:Melanie Valle
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