Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32086032/
About movie: https://goodfellas.film/movie/the-kingdom/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/le-royaume-2024 (France)
About movie: "The Kingdom" (Le Royaume) is a gripping French family crime drama set in Corsica in 1995. The film follows 15-year-old Lesia who is suddenly taken to a secluded villa to live with her fugitive father, a crime boss, and his men. As a gang war erupts, Lesia is drawn into her father's dangerous world, leading to death and a desperate chase where father and daughter form an unexpected bond. The film is a French production led by Chi-Fou-Mi Productions.
Plot summary: In 1995, Lesia, a teenager living in Corsica, is abruptly taken from her ordinary life to a remote villa where her father, Pierre-Paul, a leader of a criminal clan, is hiding with his crew. Initially resentful, Lesia finds her world turned upside down as a violent gang war intensifies, revealing the true extent of her father's dangerous life. Forced to confront this reality, Lesia becomes entangled in the conflict, leading to tragic events and a desperate escape with her father. During this perilous journey, an unexpected bond forms between them as they navigate the treacherous landscape and the consequences of their choices.
Director's Vision: Julien Colonna's debut film, "The Kingdom," offers a fresh perspective on the gangster genre by telling the story through the eyes of a teenage girl immersed in the violent world of organized crime in Corsica. His vision was to create an original and unique narrative, breathing new life into a familiar genre by focusing on the complex familial bonds against the backdrop of Corsica's rugged beauty and violent history.
Themes: (Previous themes are still relevant, with a stronger emphasis on the father-daughter relationship and the Corsican setting.)
Father-Daughter Relationship in Crisis: The film explores the evolving and complex bond between Lesia and her criminal father under extreme circumstances.
Immersion into the Criminal Underworld: The narrative offers a raw and unvarnished look at the violent world of organized crime in Corsica through the eyes of an outsider.
Loss of Innocence: Lesia's sudden exposure to violence and the criminal lifestyle marks a dramatic end to her childhood innocence.
Family Loyalty and Survival: The film examines the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their family in a dangerous environment.
The Landscape of Corsica as a Character: The rugged and beautiful Corsican setting plays a significant role in the film's atmosphere and the characters' journey.
Tradition and Violence: The film likely touches upon the deep-seated traditions and history of violence in the Corsican underworld.
Key success factors:
Fresh Perspective on a Familiar Genre: Telling a gangster story through the eyes of a teenage girl offers a unique and compelling angle.
Strong Debut Performances: The lead actors, particularly Ghjuvanna Benedetti as Lesia and Saveriu Santucci as her father, have been praised for their convincing portrayals.
Authentic Corsican Setting: Filming on location in Corsica adds a layer of realism and atmosphere.
Critical Acclaim at Film Festivals: The multiple award nominations and wins indicate strong positive reception.
Distribution Across Multiple Territories: The film has secured distribution in various countries, increasing its reach.
Well-Chosen Music: The soundtrack, including the "Complainte Corse" by Tino Rossi, has been highlighted for enhancing the film's atmosphere.
Summary short: "The Kingdom" (Le Royaume) is a compelling French crime drama directed by Julien Colonna, set in Corsica, told from the perspective of a teenage girl drawn into her father's dangerous life as a crime boss.
Awards and nominations: "The Kingdom" has received 2 wins and 10 nominations, including a win for Most Promising Actress (Ghjuvanna Benedetti) at the 2025 Lumiere Awards, a Silver Star at the 2024 El Gouna Film Festival, and nominations for Best First Film at the César Awards and Lumiere Awards, as well as recognition at Cannes, Hamptons, Jerusalem, Mannheim-Heidelberg, Sitges, and Zurich film festivals.
Critics reception:
Rotten Tomatoes: On Rotten Tomatoes, "The Kingdom" has a perfect score of 100% based on 7 critics' reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10. This indicates overwhelmingly positive reviews from the critics surveyed.
The Hollywood Reporter: A review in The Hollywood Reporter praises the film as a "spellbinding Corsican Mafia drama," highlighting the compelling story of a daughter drawn into her father's dangerous world.
Hollywood Scout Report: This outlet notes that Julien Colonna's debut film "breathes fresh life into the gangster film genre" with its original and unique narrative told from the perspective of a 15-year-old daughter. They commend the nuanced performance of newcomer Ghjuvanna Benedetti.
Cineuropa: Cineuropa describes the film as "impressively tense and true to life," following a teenage girl whose father is a Corsican mob boss under attack.
Summary: Critics have lauded "The Kingdom" as a fresh and compelling take on the crime drama genre, particularly praising its unique perspective through the eyes of a teenage girl and its authentic portrayal of the Corsican underworld. The film is commended for its strong performances, tense atmosphere, and Julien Colonna's assured directorial debut.
Reviews:
IMDb: On IMDb, "The Kingdom" has a rating of 7.0 out of 10 based on over 600 user ratings. One user review on the site enthusiastically declares it the "best movie of 2024," praising the director's unique angle, the convincing performances of the non-professional actors, and the well-chosen music.
Summary: Audience reviews on IMDb indicate a generally positive reception, with many highlighting the film's fresh perspective on the mafia genre, the strong performances, and the atmospheric use of music and the Corsican setting.
Box office: "The Kingdom" has grossed $1,019,507 in France, which is also its worldwide lifetime total gross as of March 17, 2025, according to Box Office Mojo. The film had a theatrical run in France starting in November 2024.
Production: "The Kingdom" is a French production led by Chi-Fou-Mi Productions, with support from Canal+, Netflix, CNC, Collectivité Territoriale de la Corse, Corsica Pôle Tournages, Le Fonds d'Action de la Sacem, and Entourage Sofica. The film's authenticity is enhanced by its filming locations in Corsica and the casting of non-professional actors, some of whom, like the lead actress Ghjuvanna Benedetti, have interesting backgrounds (e.g., working at the fire brigade in her daily life).
Production companies (name, country):
Chi-Fou-Mi Productions (France)
Canal+ (France) - (support)
Netflix (USA) - (participation)
Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC) (France) - (support)
Collectivité Territoriale de la Corse (France) - (support)
Corsica Pôle Tournages (France) - (in partnership with)
Fonds d'Action de la Sacem, Le (France) - (in partnership with)
Entourage Sofica (France) - (in association with)
Sales companies (name, country, sentence):
Goodfellas (France) - Handled worldwide sales for the film across all media.
Distribution companies (name, country, sentence):
Ad Vitam Distribution (France)
Cherry Pickers Filmdistributie (Netherlands)
Metrograph Pictures (USA)
Madman Entertainment (Australia)
Madman Films (New Zealand)
Progress Film (Germany)
Vertigo Releasing (Ireland)
Vertigo Releasing (UK)
Why to recommend this movie:
Critically Acclaimed Debut: Julien Colonna's first feature film has garnered significant praise from critics and has a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Fresh Take on the Crime Genre: Offers a unique perspective by focusing on a teenage girl's experience in the Corsican underworld.
Strong Performances: The cast, including newcomer Ghjuvanna Benedetti, has been commended for their authentic portrayals.
Atmospheric Corsican Setting: The film beautifully captures the rugged landscape of Corsica, enhancing the narrative.
Multiple Award Nominations and Wins: Recognized at prestigious international film festivals.
Why to Watch Movie:
For a Unique and Gripping Crime Drama: Offers a departure from typical gangster narratives.
To Discover a Talented New Director: Julien Colonna's debut has been met with significant acclaim.
To Experience the Culture and Landscape of Corsica: The film provides an immersive look into this unique region.
If You Enjoy Character-Driven Stories with High Stakes: The relationship between Lesia and her father is at the heart of the film.
For Fans of International Cinema: A compelling French film that has resonated with audiences and critics.
What Movie Trend film is following (name of the trend, summary): Regional Crime Dramas with a Focus on Unique Cultural Identity. "The Kingdom" aligns with a trend in international cinema where filmmakers explore crime stories deeply rooted in specific regional cultures, showcasing unique traditions, landscapes, and social dynamics.
What Big Social Trend is following (name of the trend, summary): The Exploration of Family Dynamics within Extreme Circumstances. The film delves into the complex relationship between a father and daughter against the backdrop of a dangerous criminal world, reflecting a broader interest in how familial bonds are tested and transformed by extraordinary situations.
Final Verdict: "The Kingdom" (Le Royaume) is a critically acclaimed and compelling French crime drama that offers a fresh and authentic look into the Corsican underworld through the eyes of a teenage girl. With strong performances, a unique narrative, and a stunning setting, it is a must-watch for those seeking a gripping and original cinematic experience. The film's widespread critical praise and festival recognition solidify its status as a standout debut.
Recommendations for movie industry:
Support and promote debut filmmakers with unique voices and perspectives: Julien Colonna's success with "The Kingdom" is a testament to the importance of nurturing new talent.
Encourage the production of regional stories that offer fresh takes on established genres: "The Kingdom" demonstrates the potential for originality within familiar narratives.
Recognize and celebrate authentic portrayals of diverse cultures and communities in cinema: The film's depiction of Corsica has been a key element of its success.
Facilitate international distribution for films that receive critical acclaim at festivals: This allows deserving films to reach wider audiences.
Continue to support platforms that showcase and promote international cinema: This helps audiences discover compelling stories from around the world.
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