‘The Woman King’ has received rave reviews and box office success, debuting at number one and grossing $19 million domestically. However, along with the acclaim, the film’s receiving backlash too. Many have accused the Viola Davis-starrer of “whitewashing” and “glorifying” slave traders. The hashtag #BoycottWomanKing has also been trending on Twitter.
Now, the actress and the film’s director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, have reacted to the boycott controversy and the allegations made against the film which showcases The Dahomey Kingdom and an all-female warrior tribe called Agojie.
Also Read: Is ‘The Woman King’ Based On A True Story?
‘The Woman King’ Team Defends The Film Against Historical Accuracy Criticism
Oscar-winner Viola Davis, who is also the most nominated Black actress for the Academy Awards, plays the role of Nanisca in ‘The Woman King’. She is the a General of the all-women warrior unit, Agojie, that fought for the West African kingdom in the past.
Although, the film has been targeted with a boycott for not showcasing the Dahomey Kingdom’s involvement in slavery. Addressing this in an interview with Variety, Davis said, “First of all, I agree with (director) Gina Prince-Bythewood’s saying is you’re not going to win an argument on Twitter.”
She further said, “We entered the story where the kingdom was in flux, at a crossroads. They were looking to find some way to keep their civilization and kingdom alive. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that they were decimated. Most of the story is fictionalized. It has to be.”
The actress’ husband and producing partner Julius Tennon added that it’s educational, but the sole purpose is to entertain: “We are now what we call ‘edu-tainment.’ It’s history but we have to take license. We have to entertain people. If we just told a history lesson, which we very well could have, that would be a documentary. Unfortunately, people wouldn’t be in the theaters doing the same thing we saw this weekend. We didn’t want to shy away from the truth. The history is massive and there are truths on that that are there. If people want to learn more, they can investigate more.”
Read More: Viola Davis On Facing Rejection Due To Race: ‘’It Pisses Me Off, It Has Broken My Heart’
The Success Of ‘Black Panther’ Made The Viola Davis Film Happen
‘The Woman King’ tells the story of the Agojie, also known as the Dahomey Amazons, who were an all-female group of warriors in the West African Kingdom of Dahomey. The film’s conception goes back to 2015, when writer Maria Bello learned about the Agojie in the now-nation of Benin. But, she was gripped with doubts when she found out about Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’. However, the film’s success only emboldened her decision to move forward with ‘The Woman King’.
Bello told The Hollywood Reporter, “When I heard [‘Black Panther’] was happening, I got a little nervous. Like, ‘Oh no, did we not move fast enough?’ And then when I saw it, it only emboldened me more to make sure we made this movie. There’s absolutely room for both stories. That’s a comic book, fantasy experience, and this is inspired by real life. This is real people and a real part of our history.”
Read More: Viola Davis’ Memoir Is Inspired By Her Experiences Of The Racism, Poverty, And Colorism
