Watch Jacky in the Kingdom of Women
- G
- 2014
- 1 hr 26 min
-
6.1 (2,710)
Jacky in the Kingdom of Women is a French comedy film from 2014 that shows an imaginative futuristic world in which women are in charge and men are secondary. It was directed by Riad Sattouf and features an impressive cast, including Vincent Lacoste, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Didier Bourdon. The movie presents a world where women have built a society in which they rule over anything that concerns the state affair, from the government to the military. Men are oppressed and are forced to do domestic work, be art models, have babies and put up with regular rational and emasculating targeted practices. The world of men has been built around submission to womanhood to the point they are nicknamed "sweeties", "pets", or "pussies". One would think the women are the brutal ones, but it is the men who have chosen to work in the kitchen and do laundry while women hold positions of power.
The main character of the film is Jacky (Vincent Lacoste), a young man who dreams of becoming a powerful figure in a society where men can become only what women dictate them. Jacky is passionate about political science, and in particular, he idolizes an influential figure called Maria, a woman who advocates for women's rights and has great political power within the kingdom.
One day Jacky wins the Grand Prix of Exceptional Solidarity, a prize that is awarded to the most contributing citizens, by saving Maria's life. It is then when Jacky gets to fulfill his dream of joining the military and meet his idol. Jacky's journey to the kingdom's capital is full of adventures and mishaps, all leading him to question the principles of society.
Once Jacky arrives in the kingdom's capital, he experiences a strange world that is far away from the one he dreamt of. The women in power are not focused on creating a utopia, but rather a version of society where women are dominant, and men are subdued. Jacky starts to get involved in more dangerous political schemes, as he tries to get closer to Maria and make her see his point of view.
This film is a satirical commentary on gender relations, set in a world where roles are entirely reversed. It's a feminist rendition of what would happen if women held the power in a society that resembles France, and it critiques norms around gender by depicting them in their antithetical forms.
The movie is full of imaginative details, such as the way in which the women dress, with long dresses and veils that conceal them from the waist down, and the way the men speak not in a whisper but in a high pitched voice.
The film's performances are outstanding; Vincent Lacoste's performance is excellent as the film's protagonist. Gainsbourg plays Maria and delivers an outstanding performance, and Didier Bourdon portrays her significant other, the Minister of Domestic Affairs, with wisdom and wit.
The movie succeeds in lovingly crafting a particular kind of world that works on its own terms, with a sharp wit and excellent performances. While some of the humor can be seen as easy, the movie's commentary on gender norms is smart and well-executed. The film's ending is inspiring and shows how much change is possible when people work together.
In summary, Jacky in the Kingdom of Women is a highly imaginative and thought-provoking political satire that plays with the idea of gender completely put on its head. The movie's commentary on gender roles is insightful and witty, and the performances from the cast are outstanding. While it certainly strays from what an audience might expect, it's sure to leave viewers thinking critically about gender roles in society.
Jacky in the Kingdom of Women is a 2014 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.