The King Is Alive

The King is Alive is a gripping drama from the year 2000 directed by Kristian Levring and features an ensemble cast including Miles Anderson, Romane Bohringer, and David Bradley.

The movie takes a unique route to tread upon an unusual narrative that deftly merges survival tension with theatrical charm. The tale revolves around an eclectic group of passengers on a trip through the barren landscapes of the African desert, who are stranded when their bus breaks down in the middle of nowhere. There, they find themselves abandoned amidst the vast nothingness of the desert without a shred of modern civilization in sight.

Among the bunch, we meet the elderly couple - the deeply religious Catherine played by Janet Suzman and Henry played by David Bradley. We are introduced to charismatic Miles Anderson, who plays the role of Jack, and vulnerable Romane Bohringer in the role of Catherine, a woman trying desperately to hold onto her sanity after the bus breaks down. Among other characters are a bitter married couple, a callous retiree, an egoistic actor, and other diverse personalities that add depth to the narrative.

As days turn into nights and their survival chances grow slimmer, the group is desperate to remain united and keep their spirits alive. Here, the character of Henry, a former actor comes up with an ingenious idea. He suggests that they enact the play 'King Lear' by Shakespeare - to distract themselves from the dire circumstances surrounding them and as a desperate plea for sanity.

As they begin rehearsing for the play, personal conflicts surface, relationships unravel, and hidden emotions are brought to the fore under the harsh desert sun, juxtaposing the escalating tension with the Shakespearean tragedy that they're performing. The barren, inhospitable landscape plays its own character, making their survival and efforts to maintain sanity even more dramatic.

What unfolds is not just a survival story but also a mirror to the human spirit and the idea of life imitating art. It deals with an interesting study of characters showcased through different journeys of self-discovery, relationships, and human intellect under the stress of survival, with undertones of Shakespearean tragedy looming over.

The King is Alive brings forth enthralling performances from a talented cast, amplifying the emotional intensity of the movie. The film particularly showcases Anderson, Bohringer, and Bradley's acting prowess, as they bring their complex characters alive in a challenging environment. The cinematography stands out as well, offering the audience picturesque views of the vast, desolate desert landscape, which aesthetically adds an air of tension and beauty to the film.

Directorial excellence is evident as Levring perfectly fuses the raw survival narrative with elements from King Lear. The writing is equally remarkable as it encapsulates the myriad human emotions and relationships under duress while incorporating elements of one of the greatest tragic plays of all time.

The narrative of The King is Alive is strategically paced, gradually building up the tension and drama, in sync with its poignant storyline. Its claustrophobic flare, driven by its desolate setting and life-threatening survival conditions, accentuates the psychological turmoil undergone by the characters, thereby making the viewer's journey a compelling one.

The King is Alive is a fascinating take on the survival genre with an undertone of literary art, interweaved with the richness of Shakespearean tragedy. This fusion of art and survival drama brews a riveting tale that explores life, human spirit, and the rawness of human nature, making it one of its kind. It's a fitting (and arguably standout) installment to the Dogme 95 movement, which prioritizes story, acting, and theme over special effects or technology, rendering The King is Alive not just another survival tale, but an artistic exploration of humanity itself.