A United Kingdom
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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A United Kingdom is a 2016 British biographical romantic drama film directed by Amma Asante and written by Guy Hibbert, based on the true-life romance between Sir Seretse Khama and his wife Ruth Williams Khama. David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike portray Seretse and Ruth, respectively.
Plot
The film is based on the true story of the heir to the throne of Bechuanaland, Seretse Khama of the Bamangwato tribe, who studies law in London immediately after World War II. There he meets a White woman (Ruth Williams) whom he eventually marries, despite the protests of their families, and opposition from the British government, which is concerned about relations with South Africa and the stability of the entire region of Southern Africa.
Seretse discovers that the British have allowed a US mining corporation to prospect for precious stones, and is eager to make sure that, if anything is found, the exploitation of the country's resources should solely be done by the people of Bechuanaland.
Seretse wants his people to support him as king and manages to win their backing, while the British government decides to exile him from his own country. Meanwhile, Ruth has their baby in Bechuanaland and becomes accepted by the local people by "walking the road with them". When the British want to proclaim an administrator to the Bechuana people instead of their king, the tribe refuses to convene a meeting to so do. During this time, diamonds are found and Seretse makes sure that the British government publicly declares that the Bechuana people have the sole right to exploit these resources.
Churchill promises, if he were elected, to lift the exile on Seretse; however after his victory he turns the five-year ban into a lifelong one. In London, powerful people start supporting his claim, and he also receives support from the US government. Meanwhile, Apartheid develops in South Africa and begins to overshadow Bechuanaland as well. Eventually, with the help of pressure from local people, he is allowed to return to Betchuanaland and negotiates its independence from the British. Post-ending text reveals that Seretse oversees the creation of present day Botswana, and that his son subsequently becomes the country's fourth elected president in 2008. It is revealed that Ruth and Seretse are buried side by side on a hilltop overlooking Serowe village, where they had lived for the remainder of their lives.
Cast
- David Oyelowo as Sir Seretse Khama
- Rosamund Pike as Ruth Williams Khama
- Terry Pheto as Naledi Khama, Seretse's younger sister
- Vusi Kunene as Tshekedi Khama, Seretse's uncle and regent of the Bangwatho Kingdom
- Abena Ayivor as Ella Khama, Tshekedi's wife and Seretse's aunt
- Jack Davenport as Alistair Canning, the British government representative of Southern Africa
- Jack Lowden as Tony Benn
- Donald Molosi as Kabelo
- Tom Felton as Rufus Lancaster
- Charlotte Hope as Olivia Lancaster
- Nicholas Lyndhurst as George Williams, Ruth's father
- Anastasia Hille as Dot Williams, Ruth's mother
- Laura Carmichael as Muriel Williams-Sanderson, Ruth's sister
- Jessica Oyelowo as Lady Lilly Canning