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THE WOMAN KING Tears Stereotypes Down at the 20th FICM

Laura García

The Woman King (2022), directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, was shown during the 20th Morelia International Film Festival (FICM). The screening was presented by Daniela Michel, the festival’s director, and ended with a Q&A with the director, who answered the audience’s inquiries remotely.

The film, based on real events, stars Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis, joined by Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch and Sheila Atim. It tells the story of the Dahomeyque Amazons. Nanisca, the protagonist played by Davis, will train a group of warriors to defend their village from European expansion in West Africa.

The film discusses the weight of freedom and a painful but gratifying process with characters who represent sorority. These narratives about women warriors allow contemporary generations to identify with female action heroes. “[It was important] to show women as athletes but without losing their femininity; they’re strong without losing their womanhood [...] breaking the stereotypes we’ve been sold,” the American filmmaker emphasized.

Gina Prince-Bythewood acknowledged that the Marvel-produced Black Panther (2018, dir. Ryan Coogler) opened the doors for more black filmmakers to be recognized for their work. “My struggle is to put more black men and women who allow finding another kind of representation in film on the screen,” she said.

The film was first shown during the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. After the conversation with Gina Prince-Bythewood, Daniela Michel thanked her for participating in the 20th FICM with her film.