Rosamund Pike as “Ruth Williams,” Madison Manowe as “Baby Jaqueline,” and David Oyelowo as “Seretse Khama” in the film A United Kingdom. Stanislav Honzik, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
A United Kingdom, a powerful historical drama starring David Oyelowo (Selma) and Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) hits theaters today and promises to inspire and uplift audiences at a time when the world seems particularly divided.
Based on Susan Williams's 2006 nonfiction book "Colour
Bar", the film opens in 1941, when the Prince of Beuchuanaland, Seretse
Khama (Oyelowow) is studying law in post-WWII London. There, he meets
Ruth Williams (Pike) at a church dance, and they two have instant
chemistry, united by their love for jazz and commitment to the public
good. The two soon fall in love, and after a brief courtship, Ruth
accepts Seretse's marriage proposal.
However, Seretse and Ruth's relationship isn't exactly
looked upon favorably by their friends and family - not to mention the
British and South African governments, who actively seek to force the
dissolution of their marriage.
Directed by Amma Asante and beautifully shot on locations in the UK and Botswana, A United Kingdom
expertly tackles the all-too-relevant issues of prejudice, racism and
political unrest while reminding audiences that ultimately, love has the
power to unite - even in the most divided of times.
In this exclusive interview for The Gospel Herald, Oyelowo opened up about the deeper themes in A United Kingdom, the parallels between himself and the king he plays, and how his Christian faith influences his career.
GH: What was your experience with the story told in A United Kingdom before signing on to the project? Was it well known in British culture?
DO: It was not well known, certainly to me, and I know it's
not well known in British culture even now - it's certainly not taught
in schools. When a producer I was working with told me about this story,
I was shocked that I didn't know it.
But, that's one of the main
reasons I decided to take on this project. I was inspired by the love
these two people had for each other and how that love enabled them to
overcome tremendous opposition.
GH: The film has taken on a more timely nature
given recent executive orders on and protests against immigration bans.
It seems like the act of dividing people has always been a political
tactic. Can you talk about that as it pertains to the film?
DO: I think you're absolutely right. When we were shooting
the film, we never thought there would be resonance, where you're seeing
scenes in which an African prince is being banned from returning to his
country because he married a white woman. This film really demonstrates
that love can conquer all. At the end of the day, no matter what is
going on governmentally or otherwise to keep people apart, it can be
conquered - and that is through love.
GH: A United Kingdom has multiple meanings
here. It obviously hints at the United Kingdom as a country, but also
points to something much bigger. What is the broader Kingdom it refers
to?
DO: Absolutely. It's a play on words; some of the film
takes place in the United Kingdom, but ironically, the kingdom that
really becomes united is one in Southern Africa as a result of two
people from different countries who deeply love one another.
(Photo : 20th Century Fox)
GH: What are some points you hope audiences take away from this film that can help us live better today?
DO: These two people fell in love very quickly, but they
also had to grow up very quickly as a result. I am so inspired by the
two of them in the fact that they were determined enough to stay
together, while many other people would have felt the need to walk away
from each other. Their relationships was stronger for it, and helped
them form a nation that was also a beneficiary of seeing an example of
love within their leadership. And, even though Seretse was banned from
being king, he went on to be the first democratically elected president
of the independent Botswana.
GH: Rosamund Pike gives another strong performance as Ruth. What does her character have to say about cross cultural experiences and how we learn from and partner with people different from us?
DO: I think the amazing thing about her is that she didn't
see Seretse as this "black man". She just met someone who she fell in
love with. She fell in love with his soul, with whom he was, and his
intellect. Of course, she knew he was a black man, and knew he was from
elsewhere, but those things were of less concern. I believe true love
doesn't see color or those things that are superficially different about
us. It's a connection to the soul, and even beyond that, she
wholeheartedly embraced her husband's country and his culture. I find
her to be an incredibly powerful and brave woman.
GH: How has this film shaped you? In what was have you grown or do you now see the world differently through this experience?
DO: To be honest, I'm married to a white lady myself, and I
don't wake up in the morning thinking, "Oh, I'm married to a white
woman." No, I'm married to Jessica who I deeply and dearly love. I find
myself incredibly grateful that Jess and I haven't had to face anything
like what Seretse and Ruth faced in order to stay together, but it's
also made me grateful for what we have.
GH: You are vocal about your faith. How does it affect your work and the movies you choose to appear in?
DO: I pray about anything I'm contemplating, and the moral
compass my faith gives me tells me what to entertain and what not to
entertain. I don't shy away from darkness in my films, because for me,
light shines brightest in darkness.
But, I won't promote or glamorize
darkness in the films I do. My faith and my being a father very much
guides me in terms of what I do, because I want to practice what I
preach both as a Christian and as a father.
I'm also always looking for things that challenge me. When I happen upon a character, I don't immediately know how I will play them. To be scared can bring out the best in me. I do try to do films that both entertain and are meaningful, but also films that I would want to see.
One
of the most sought after Nigerian stand-up comedian and the father of
Stand-up comedy in Nigeria Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere popularly
known as Alibaba recently took to his Instagram page to share a whatsapp
conversation he had with pastor Chris Okotie. - See more at:
https://www.naijanews.com/entertainment/5964-alibaba-shares-hilarious-chat-with-pastor-okotie.html#sthash.VZR21FbL.dpuf
One
of the most sought after Nigerian stand-up comedian and the father of
Stand-up comedy in Nigeria Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere popularly
known as Alibaba recently took to his Instagram page to share a whatsapp
conversation he had with pastor Chris Okotie. - See more at:
https://www.naijanews.com/entertainment/5964-alibaba-shares-hilarious-chat-with-pastor-okotie.html#sthash.VZR21FbL.dpuf
One
of the most sought after Nigerian stand-up comedian and the father of
Stand-up comedy in Nigeria Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere popularly
known as Alibaba recently took to his Instagram page to share a whatsapp
conversation he had with pastor Chris Okotie. - See more at:
https://www.naijanews.com/entertainment/5964-alibaba-shares-hilarious-chat-with-pastor-okotie.html#sthash.VZR21FbL.dpuf
One
of the most sought after Nigerian stand-up comedian and the father of
Stand-up comedy in Nigeria Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere popularly
known as Alibaba recently took to his Instagram page to share a whatsapp
conversation he had with pastor Chris Okotie. - See more at:
https://www.naijanews.com/entertainment/5964-alibaba-shares-hilarious-chat-with-pastor-okotie.html#sthash.VZR21FbL.dpuf
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