Kingdom

I have seen a lot of movies in the world of mafia. The Godfather offcourse, and also The Untouchables or Once Upon a Time in America or The Irishman.

But director Julien Colonna - what an overwhelming debut - finds a surprising angle in his first movie. 'Le royaume' shows the Corsican underworld through the eyes of the 15-year-old daughter of a clan head.

For all the actors, who were no professional actors, it was three years long that the director took the time to play their rolls superbly.

Main actress Ghjuvanna Benedetti plays very convincingly the role of the mafia daughter. She works for instance in her daily life at the fire brigade.

Her conversation with her father, actor Saveriu Santucci, who also plays magnificently, was one the touching moments I witnessed in all movies I have seen at the cinema.

Also I would like to say something about the very well chosen music and songs, with 'Complainte Corse' of famous singer Tino Rossi as a highlight.

It's the best film I have seen so far this year, here is my top 10 of movies in 2024: 1) LE ROYAUME 2) QUAND VIENT L'AUTOMNE 3) C'È ANCORA DOMANI 4) GOODBYE JULIA 5) WINTER BREAK / THE HOLDOVERS 6) HOW TO MAKE MILLIONS BEFORE GRANDMA DIES 7) LEE 8) PAST LIVES 9) IO CAPITANO 10) RADICAL

So go and watch 'Le Royaume'!

The Kingdom: A Corsican Coming of Age/Crime Drama. Made over a period of 3 1/2 years and largely using amateur actors, in Julien Colonna we have discovered a corsican Ken Loach. 1995, Lesia (Ghjuvanna Benedetti) is a 15-year-old girl in Corsica, living with her aunt's family, she enjoys life, has a boyfriend. She's suddenly called away to meet her father, Pierre-Paul (Saveriu Santucci) . At first she seems resentful but it soon becomes clear that she treasures her time with him. Gradually. By showing rather than telling we learn that her father is a local mob leader. Other gang members are staying at the secret hideout but Lesia knows them all, and regards them as uncles. An inter gang war has started up and soon Lesia loses some of these uncles. Rather than leav for safety Lesia inveigles her way into supporting her father and his friends. We have seen that she is a skilled hunter. A bloody story about cycles of violence but there are no cardboard characters here. The life of a gangster on the run mean's loss of family life and even family members. Pierre-Paul delivers a moving soliloquy regarding his life and motivations, it would be a spoiler to say more about it. Great performances from Benedetti and Santucci along with good support from an ensemble cast. Written and Directed by Julien Colonna. 8.5/10.

Corsican spirit at his best, as was also MAFIOSA series. This is a pure authentic Corsican crime drama, a story of course of vengeance, vendetta, and an amazing, fantastic character study, the analysis of a father daughter relationship. A very moving, sensitive, poignant story. More drama than crime, and written and directed by a young Corsican film director whose father was himself a Corsican underwolrd "godfather", killed in 2006. This promising film maker put all his guts, his spirit, his soul, in this pure little gem. Non professional actors give us performances that could be rewarded in an Academy Awards ceremony.