Watch The White King

The White King is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged drama released in 2016. The film, set in a dystopian world, is an adaptation of the Hungarian novel of the same name by György Dragomán. Directed by the dynamic duo, Jörg Tittel and Alex Helfrecht, the film tells the story of a young boy named Djata (Lorenzo Allchurch) growing up in an authoritarian state.

In the film, we see Djata live in a society called the Homeland, which is ruled by a single party. It is a society built on propaganda, with an iron grip on its people's lives. Their every movement is monitored, and any form of dissent is immediately stamped out. Djata is portrayed as an inquisitive boy who seeks answers to the numerous questions he has about life in the Homeland. He is brought up by his mother (Agyness Deyn) and father (Ross Partridge), a dissident writer who has been imprisoned for his beliefs.

As the story progresses, Djata's father is taken to a work camp, and his mother is forced to flee the country, leaving the young boy alone. Djata's main struggle is dealing with the void left behind by his parents' absence. He is further tormented by the government's attempts to manipulate him by creating a false narrative of his father's death.

The film delves into political ideologies and how they can be used to subjugate a nation. We see how the ruling party tries to control information by banning books and censoring the media, thus creating a conformist society. However, Djata's inquisitive nature, coupled with his continued search for his father, puts him in harm's way as the state tries to suppress him.

The overarching theme of The White King is the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the bleakness of the setting, we see the protagonist's determination to overcome the obstacles ahead of him, emboldened by his father's resistance. The Homeland's oppressive nature, coupled with the disintegration of his family, would have broken a lesser human. Not Djata. He carries on, determined to find the truth about his father's fate and to live a life free from the Homeland's shackles.

One of the highlights of the film is its stunning cinematography. Shot in Hungary and Romania, the directorial duo has used the stark landscapes to great effect. The desolate, snow-covered countryside is a potent metaphor for the Homeland's oppressive state. The film's score is appropriately atmospheric and serves to heighten the tension when it is needed.

The White King boasts a talented cast, including Olivia Williams and Greta Scacchi. Agyness Deyn, in particular, gives an exceptional performance. The British model turned actress portrays the emotional turmoil of a mom torn between doing what's best for her family and living in fear of the ruling government.

In conclusion, The White King is an engaging coming-of-age tale that evokes a plethora of emotions. The intimate setting and the gripping performances make for captivating viewing. The dystopian world is a haunting representation of an oppressive state, and the protagonist's journey towards truth is a testament to the human spirit. It is a must-see for those who enjoy thought-provoking films that offer a glimpse of societal issues that are present in today's world.

The White King is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.