Swaziland is Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
It has the world’s highest HIV infection rate and its citizens have a life expectancy of 31 years.
King Mswati III, who was installed in 1986, appears to be out of touch with his people who live lives of devastating poverty.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/o37iJhBo7VU" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
This documentary goes a long way to showing the great disparity in lifestyles of the average Swazi and the king.
This film, directed by Michael Skolnik, also focuses on the king’s eldest child and teen rapper, Princess Sikhanyiso. While she spends time defending her father, she slowly comes around to seeing the desperation in the lives of the typical Swazi.
Skolnik does an excellent job of balancing the time given to each of his subjects. The audience is privy to the extravagant lifestyle of the king and his court and also to the abject poverty of many of his people.
He also interviews people who are organized to take on the king, union leaders and members of opposition parties.
At one point, the king appears to cede some of his authority by signing a new constitution. However, it is a defanged document in the eyes of opposition leaders.
Skolnik also captures footage of protesters clashing with police, with the camera running while the cameraman runs for cover.
This film is also about tradition and shows much of the pageantry involved in Swazi rituals.
Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival, “Without the King” is available to rent.
Murphy can be reached at: [email protected]
