Set in the s, it tells the real story of how Seretse Khama David Oyelowo , an African prince of a country that later becomes Botswana, fell in love with a white woman, Ruth Williams Rosamund Pike in London and took her back to his home to become Queen. Along the way, the couple face huge challenges β not just the blatant racism of the time from both sides of the racial divide, but also in the political manoeuvrings of those in charge of the British Empire and the newly emergent regime of apartheid in South Africa.
At one point in the film, British Prime Minister Clement Atlee decries the marriage on political grounds, saying that the South African government will simply not accept an African man in bed with a white woman and are intent on punishing Britain for allowing it to happen. The film is directed by black Briton Amma Asante and stars Oyelowo who also has a producer credit.
He went onto make the point that because so few films are made from this perspective and with such a diversity, it was something people inevitably noticed and commented about.
He said this was starkly reflected when he first arrived in the country at the airport and was met by his black female assistant. A mids taxi driver thought she was Ruth β when of course his on-screen wife is white.
And as a colonial story goes, it is one of the better ones in truth. A review will appear soon along with other screenings from the London Film Festival October London Film Festival β South Asian lookouts!
