Night of the Kings
dir. Philippe Lacôte · 2021
The struggle for survival often reveals the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and transform even in the darkest circumstances.
A young man finds himself in La Maca, a prison where the inmates dictate the rules and the air is thick with tension. As he is chosen to be the new "Roman," he must weave a tale that captivates his fellow prisoners until dawn, drawing on the legend of Zama King. Watching this film is like stepping into a world where every word holds weight, and the act of storytelling becomes a lifeline amidst despair.
A young man is sent to "La Maca," a prison in the middle of the Ivorian forest ruled by its inmates. As tradition goes with the rising of the red moon, he is designated by the Boss to be the new "Roman" and must tell a story to the other prisoners. Learning what fate awaits him, he begins to narrate the mystical life of the legendary outlaw named "Zama King" and has no choice but to make his story last until dawn.
Talking points
- the role of storytelling in survival
- the impact of environment on identity
- the significance of tradition in modern society
- the psychological effects of incarceration
