Black Is King is a 2020 American musical film and visual album directed, written, and executive produced by American singer Beyoncé. The film serves as a visual companion to the 2019 album The Lion King: The Gift, a tie-in album curated by Beyoncé for the The Lion King (2019). It tells the story of a young African prince (Folajomi Akinmurele) who is exiled from his kingdom after the death of his father. As he grows up into a man (Nyaniso Dzedze), the prince undergoes a journey of self-identity, using the guidance of his ancestor (Beyoncé), childhood love (Nandi Madida) and his own subconscious (Stephen Ojo) to reclaim his throne. The prince's journey acts as an allegory for the African diaspora's journey of discovering and reclaiming their culture and heritage, which is echoed by the inclusion of spoken-word poetry in the film that focuses on the question of black identity.
Black Is King was in production for over a year and was filmed across three continents. Beyoncé wanted to recruit a diverse cast and crew and to provide opportunities for new talent. The film's music, dances, costumes, hairstyles and sets were designed to showcase the beauty and richness of the cultures in the African continent and diaspora.
The film was released globally on Disney+ on July 31, 2020, and was aired the following day across Sub-Saharan Africa on M-Net and Canal+ Afrique and across the Middle East and North Africa on OSN. The film received widespread acclaim from critics, with praise for Beyoncé's direction, the cinematography, score, costume design, subject matter, and cultural themes.
Synopsis[]
Plot[]
Cast[]
- Beyoncé as Spirit Guide/Maternal Figure/Ancestor
- Tina Knowles-Lawson as Herself (as Tina Knowles Lawson)
- Jay-Z
- Blue Ivy Carter
- Rumi Carter
- Sir Carter
- Kelly Rowland
- Lord Afrixana
- Yemi Alade
- Jessie Reyez
- Shatta Wale
- Salatiel
- Pharrell Williams
- Wizkid
- Naomi Campbell
- Adut Akech
- Aweng Chuol
- Lupita Nyong'o
- Tiwa Savage
- Ernestine Shepherd
- Mr Eazi
- Nija
- Tierra Whack
- Busiswa
- Moonchild Sanelly
- Folajomi Akinmurele as Young Prince
- Connie Chiume as Prince's Mother
- Nyaniso Ntsikelelo Dzedze as Adult Prince
- Nandi Madida as Prince's Love Interest
- Warren Masemola as Villain
- Sibusiso Mbeje as Prince's Father
- Fumi Odede as Herself
- Stephen Ojo as Blue Man
- Mary Twala as Elder
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