The film The Forgotten Kingdom tells the story of Atang (Zenzo Ngqobe), a young man living in the slums of Johannesburg, without direction or prospects. After his father's death, albeit reluctantly, he agrees to fulfil one of his last wishes, to be buried in his native village in Lesotho. Even though he is welcomed with open arms, Atang sees the villagers and their customs as old-fashioned compared with the bustling life of the city, and his inner conflicts worsen when the villagers praise his father, as they have a totally different view from the version of the man he grew up with. And so begins an intense journey of self-discovery, showing that we can never truly turn our backs on the culture and history of our origins.
The film The Forgotten Kingdom shows that we can never truly turn our backs on the culture and history of our origins
The film examines the ways in which emotions can block us mentally as individuals, and, although the plot takes place in Lesotho, the themes addressed cut across all cultures. The film can be considered a fusion of drama and comedy, with a light touch of the supernatural. Visually, it is very well achieved, being a cinematic production with breathtaking views, quality atmospheric music and a constant dramatic feeling, all of it supported by excellent performances. Some may find the final result predictable, but it is very enjoyable and conveys positive values.
It is available on the streaming platform Netflix and is one of the most award-winning African films in recent years, having won numerous international prizes.
