Without the King

Without the King is a profoundly impactful, thought-provoking 2007 documentary directed by Michael Skolnik. The film gives audiences an intimate look into one of the last absolute monarchies on earth. The main subjects of the film are His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Royal Highness Princess Sikhanyiso, and Her Majesty Queen LaMbikiza of Swaziland, an African Kingdom, now known as the Kingdom of Eswatini.

The story centers around King Mswati III, Africa's last absolute monarch who presides over Swaziland. Despite the region's alarming rate of HIV/AIDS and significant poverty, the King enjoys a lavish lifestyle, flanked by many wives and a sizeable bounty of children. The film offers an uninhibited glimpse into the peculiar dimensions of a society where modernity and tradition often clash in confusing and shocking ways.

Remarkably, Without the King does far more than just document the royal family's grandeur against the backdrop of the nation's destitution. It goes beyond that, delving into the lives of those whose existence are framed by such disparity. One such example is the First Princess of Swaziland, Her Royal Highness Princess Sikhanyiso, who is studying abroad in California. Princess Sikhanyiso's lively character and unexpected insights offer a compelling twist to the narrative, subtly highlighting the rifts between her father's monarchy and the western world she's currently immersed in.

Queen LaMbikiza, one of the King's many wives and an ardent advocate of HIV/AIDS education, is another significant character portrayed in the film. That she is in a place of privilege and power while being deeply aware of the challenges her people face only strengthens the dynamics of the storyline. Her non-ignorance of the subjects is a fascinating contrast to the often oblivious King Mswati III, which creates a dichotomy that's as intriguing as it is uncomfortable to witness.

What's especially noteworthy about Without the King is the way in which the film expertly juxtaposes the opulence of the royal family against the poverty-stricken and disease-ridden reality of the Swazi people. Heartbreaking images of destitute Swazis suffering from AIDS-related illnesses are interspersed with scenes from grand royal ceremonies that underscore the blatant disparity. It's in this juxtaposition that audiences are forced to grapple with the harsh truths about social inequality and the moral obligation of those with power.

Skillfully arranged subtleties also play an important role in presenting a vivid portrait of the people's discontent and their yearning for change. The documentary successfully draws parallels between the personal accounts of the Swazis and the ever-brewing resentment against the King's rule. By capturing a nonviolent, yet much passionate pro-democracy protest campaign led by the labor unions, the film succinctly mirrors the brewing storm of rebellion back home in Swaziland.

Moreover, the film paints a compelling, complex picture of King Mswati III himself. Despite his conspicuous consumption, viewers might find themselves surprised at his portrayal: as a man who seems somewhat unprepared for the role he’s been born into, a man who’s found himself in many ways stuck between tradition and progress, and a man who struggles with reconciling his royal duties with his personal interests.

Without the King is artistically filmed, with a breathtakingly vivid depiction of the stunning Swaziland landscape and a strikingly stark contrast of the reality inside and outside the palace walls. The pacing is spot on, masterfully capturing both the grandeur of the monarchy and the desperation of the citizens. Michael Skolnik artfully leads the audience on a journey that leaves one pondering and reflecting on the nuances of power, tradition, inequality, and change.

Primarily, this documentary is a powerful story about the clash between the modern and the traditional, framed by the struggle to democratize one of Earth's last remaining absolute monarchies. It is characterized by a narrative doused in longing, a tale of a country grappling with progress, tradition, wealth, poverty, power, and resistance. It speaks volumes about the severe consequences of unchecked power and reveals the aching beauty, astonishing contradictions and brutal realities of the Swazi Kingdom. Without the King is a timely, heart-wrenching, and significant exploration of the persistence of traditional monarchy in a rapidly changing world.