"The Woman King" to Premiere at TIFF

Yara Sameh

Gina Prince-Bythewood’s "The Woman King" will make its world premiere at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival, which will run from September 8-18.

The movie will be the fifth to world premiere at the festival. Also present at the 47th TIFF are Rian Johnson’s Knives Out sequel "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery", Clement Virgo’s coming-of-age drama "Brother", and Sanaa Lathan’s directorial debut "On the Come Up".

"The Woman King" is inspired by true events and stars Viola Davis as the general of an all-female warrior squad that protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s.

The highly-anticipated epic movie explores the story of General Nanisca (Davis), the leader of the Agoji, an elite warrior squad formed only by women. Trained to be Dahomey’s most powerful weapon against invaders, the Agoji were fierce warriors who helped the African Kingdom to stand their ground against European invaders, particularly those from Great Britain and France.

"The Woman King" will also focus on Nanisca's relationship with Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), a new military recruit that has the potential to become the best of the Agoji.

The movie will also star John Boyega as the King of Dahomey, a man who is unwilling to go to war, but who decides to trust Nanisca’s advice when new European ships approach the kingdom’s shores.