A UNITED KINGDOM
UK, 2016, 111 minutes, Colour.
David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, Jack Davenport, Tom Felton.
Directed by Amma Asante.
No, not the United Kingdom, though its government and colonial officials play a significant role in this story. Rather, this is the story of a kingdom in southern Africa, Bechuanaland, and a crisis, beginning in 1947 that ultimately led to the establishing of the independent country, Botswana.
This is a true story, one that many audiences may not be familiar with at all, but well worth learning about.
Bechuanaland had a centuries-old tradition of a monarchy and succession. At this time, there was a regent, an uncle ruling for his nephew, Seretse Kharma, who was studying in England in preparation for his destiny. Before his return he met a young woman, Ruth Williams, daughter of a salesman, to whom he was attracted, to whom he proposed – and was accepted. Accepted is not exactly the word that describes the reaction of her father nor of the reaction of Seretse’s uncle and the immediate response of the people of Bechuanaland.
Before the marriage, Lord Alastair Canning, governor of southern Africa, confronts Ruth at the office in her typist pool, threatening her that she will bring down the British Empire. She defies him. The couple are married and travel to Seretse’s home country. At the meeting of the tribe, his uncle denounces him, demands that he divorce his wife in order to become ruler.
While, initially, Seretse and Ruth think that they might have underestimated the situation, they stand firm, Seretse making a fine and rousing speech which overcomes some of the opposition from the people and he is accepted, to Lord Canning’s disgust.
The drama continues at a personal level, Ruth spurned by Seretse’s uncle’s wife as well as by his sister – though his sister begins to relent as she sees Ruth becoming part of the community.
But the drama also continues at a political level, the British government demanding that Seretse return to England, suggesting that he take a diplomatic post in the Bahamas for five years and, when he declines, planning to exile him from his home. In the meantime, Ruth gives birth, communicating with her husband by phone. There is a movement in England to support Seretse, even an appeal to Prime Minister Attlee – with the revelation that Britain is concerned about South African support, finances, anti-Communist stances, rather than a small kingdom which is openly defying apartheid.
Winston Churchill does not come out of the story too well, having promised the King’s return were he to be elected in 1948 – but reneging on the promise.
The years in exile in Britain are long, Ruth joining her husband with their daughter, her father being reconciled, but little prospect of returning home.
Some political shrewdness is exercised, especially by the British government, unwarily agreeing that Bechuanaland should have control over any mineral discoveries (while companies from South Africa were digging into Bechuanaland), and it is possible for the couple to return – with information given during the credits of the independence of the country, becoming Botswana in 1966, Seretse, advocating democracy rather than monarchy, as the president and the subsequent history of the country, with photos of the actual protagonists during the credits.
The film was directed by Amma Asante who made the striking film about racial issues in 18th century Britain, Belle. This is one of those very well-made British films, well acted by David Oyelowo as a Seretse Kharma, Rosamund Pike as Ruth Williams and Jack Davenport as Lord Canning - and always interesting at the personal and political levels.
1. A true story? Audiences aware of the history and the personalities? A story of southern Africa, the British Empire, the role of South Africa, the 1940s and 50s?
2. The settings in London, 1947, student life, the boxing ring, typist work, the Society for Mission activity, the dances and socials? The later sequences, the political offices, government, parliament offices? The meetings? The musical score?
3. Authentic locations in Botswana, re-creation of the 1940s, the terrain, mountains, desert, the town, local conditions, the homes, huts, lifestyle, hospital, shops, colonial houses?
4. Seretsi Khama, David Oyelowo and his portrait, the story of his heritage, the long tradition of Kings, his parents’ death, his uncle acting as regent, being trained to be king, studies in London, his return, the history of Bechuanaland and the threats, asking Queen Victoria for protection? Seretsi as a person, the boxing, the dancing, love of jazz, the gifts for Ruth, meeting with Ruth, in love, their walks, talk, sharing, being accosted by the thugs in the street, called a savage? The decision to propose, the proposal scene at the bridge?
5. The contrast with Ruth, British, daughter of a salesman, ordinary home life, going with Muriel to the dance, seeing Seretsi, the interest in jazz, the gifts, the meetings, the dance, the prejudice in the street, her father cutting her off? Her response to his proposal?
6. Sir Alastair Canning, the visit to the typing pool, threats, explanation of the political situation and its implications? Ruth’s stand?
7. The British government and its role in Bechuanaland, Sir Alastair Canning and his governing role, Lancaster as the representative? The conditions for the tribes, the experience of apartheid, Lady Canning, Lancaster and his wife? The conflict? Lancaster and his interventions, the threats? Stones thrown at him? His arrogance and stubbornness?
8. The opening with the uncle writing the letter, Seretri and his return, prepared for hostility, some of the people cheering, the others quiet? The conflict with his uncle? His uncle’s prejudicial stand? Urging the Archbishop of Canterbury and others to investigate? The report, its being kept secret, the British government and its interpretation?
9. Nash, the media, wanting a story, the story of the diamond mines, from South Africa into Bechuanaland, the continued encounters, his getting the information to Seretsi, Seretsi offering him the report and the threat from being made public in the media?
10. Seretsi and Ruth arriving, the glimpses by plane, the car, the uncle, the stage, the uncle wanting him to separate from Ruth, the reactions? The condemnation by the uncle’s wife? Seretsi’s sister? Seretsi’s speech, the appeal against apartheid, the appeal for unity, the people’s reaction, accepting him as chief? Alastair Canning witnessing this, his reaction?
11. Life in Bechunaland, the difficulties, malaria, the mines, Ruth going shopping, the hostility, her sister-in-law helping, beginning bonding?
12. The machinations of the British government, Seretsi having to return to England, the meetings, his being exiled, the offer of the job in Jamaica? His continuing in London? The phone calls?
13. Ruth, the collapse in the street, hospital, the white women offering the South African doctor, her sister-in-law helping, driving to give birth, with the other mothers, her carrying the water, the women praising her, singing the song for her?
14. Phone calls, the British parliamentarians, Anthony Benn, discussions with Attlee, Churchill and his promises, the role of the British government, the dependence on South African gold and diamonds, anti-Communist stances?
15. The years passing, the story of the mines, the meeting in Parliament, the decision to give Bechuanaland control over the resources?
16. Ruth, returning to the UK, her father relenting, the years passing, the various visits, the committee committees, the Parliament, the permission to return for one week, Canning’s disapproval?
17. The return, Canning angry, the meeting with him, the bargaining, the threat of the publishing of the report?
18. Seretsi and his solution, the abolition of royalty, the introduction of democracy, a policy of equality, anti-apartheid? Overcoming reverse prejudice? The discussions with his uncle?
19. The subsequent history, the independence for Bechuanaland, becoming Botswana, Seretsi as the governor? The later authorities?
20. The credits in the photographs of the actual people?
21. An interesting retrospect on the British Empire, colonial interests in Africa, supercilious superiority of the whites, implications of apartheid and reverse prejudices?
