"When I embarked on this journey, fatherhood was the furthest thought from my mind," muses a voice in the newly unveiled official U.S. trailer for "The Kingdom," a riveting thriller set against the backdrop of Corsica, a French island bathed in the azure waters of the Mediterranean, in 1995. Beware of mistaking it for Peter Berg's 2007 action film of the same name. Making its debut at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, "The Kingdom" will finally grace the silver screens of select art house theaters across the U.S. starting May of this summer. If it's screening anywhere near you, it's an experience not to be missed.
Directed by Julien Colonna in his feature-length directorial debut, "The Kingdom" weaves a tale of blood—blood shed, blood pursued, and the blood that ties us all together. The narrative unfolds as Lesia, a teenage girl, is whisked away by a stranger to a secluded villa, where her fugitive father, accompanied by his men, is in hiding. This sanctuary quickly turns into a battleground, sparking a war beneath the surface that claims more lives and sets off a harrowing chase. Amidst the chaos, father and daughter forge an unbreakable bond as they grapple with the brutalities of their world.
Ghjuvanna Benedetti shines as Lesia, while Saveriu Santucci portrays Pierre, among other stellar performers. Crafted over three painstaking years, "The Kingdom" predominantly features non-professional actors, shot on location on the stunning yet rugged terrain of Corsica. The film exudes style, intensity, and epic proportions, promising a cinematic feast for the senses.
In the summer of 1995, on Corsica's sun-drenched shores, Lesia's sheltered life is abruptly shattered when she is taken to a remote villa concealing her fugitive mob boss father, Pierre-Paul. A menacing figure and a virtual stranger to Lesia, Pierre-Paul's world of secrecy and peril initially leaves her feeling trapped. But when an assassination attempt ignites a cycle of bloody vendettas, Lesia and Pierre-Paul are thrust into a perilous escape together.
As they flee, Lesia's bond with her father grows ever stronger. They navigate the treacherous underworld in which he is ensnared, and his relentless pursuit of revenge begins to rub off on her. Julien Colonna's "The Kingdom," also known as "Le Royaume" in its native French, is a poignant exploration of the complexities of blood—the blood that divides, the blood that is sought, and the blood that ultimately binds us.
Written by Julien Colonna and Jeanne Herry, produced by Antoine Lafon and Hugo Sélignac, "The Kingdom" made its prestigious premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Metrograph Pictures will release Colonna's masterpiece in select U.S. theaters beginning May 30th, 2025. Are you intrigued?
