Born a King (Arabic: وُلِدَ مَلِكاً, romanizedWulida Malikᵃⁿ) is a 2019 historical coming-of-age drama film directed by Agustí Villaronga. The film stars Abdullah Ali, Ed Skrein, Hermione Corfield, Laurence Fox, and James Fleet.

Born a King
English poster
Arabicوُلِدَ مَلِكاً
Directed byAgustí Villaronga
Written byHenry Fitzherbert
Produced byAndrés Vicente Gómez
Marco Gómez
Stuart Sutherland
Todd Albert Nims
StarringEd Skrein
Hermione Corfield
Abdullah Ali
Laurence Fox
CinematographyJosep M. Civit
Music byHesham Nazih
Production
companies
Celtic Films
Arena Audiovisual
Distributed byVox Film Distribution
Release dates
  • 25 April 2019 (2019-04-25) (BCN Film Fest)
  • 26 September 2019 (2019-09-26) (Middle East)
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Bahrain
  • UAE
  • Oman
  • Kuwait
Languages
  • English
  • Arabic
Budget$21 million[1]

Plot

edit

In 1919, following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, 14-year-old Faisal is sent by his father, Emir Abdulaziz, on a high-stakes diplomatic mission to London to secure the formation of what was to become the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Young Faisal negotiates his country's and his family's future with seasoned politicians like Winston Churchill and Lord Curzon, and forms a friendship with Princess Mary.[2]

Cast

edit

Production

edit

It wrapped filming in late 2017.[3][4] The production of the movie lasted nearly for four years.[1] Filming locations include London, Riyadh and Diriyah.[5] The film is Saudi actor Abdullah Ali's cinematic debut.[4]

Release

edit

It premiered at the Barcelona Sant Jordi International Film Festival (BCN FILM FEST) on 25 April 2019.[6] On 26 September 2019 the movie was released in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and earned a first-four-day $972,962.[1]

Reception

edit

Born a King is the recipient of the 2019 best film award from the Inward Eye Film Festival for independent cinema.[7]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c John Hopewell (4 October 2019). "Agusti Villaronga's 'Born a King' Catches Box Office Fire in UAE, Saudi Arabia". Variety. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  2. ^ "'Born a King': Prince Faisal's role in creating Saudi Arabia coming to big screen". The National. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  3. ^ "Ed Skrein, Hermione Corfield, Laurence Fox wrap 'Born A King' (exclusive)". 12 December 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Born A King Wraps Shooting". 13 December 2017.
  5. ^ "A new film, 'Born A King' will follow the life of the Third Saudi Prince and break stereotypes about the country". Grazia Middle East. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  6. ^ "Born a King". BCN Film Fest. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  7. ^ Jack Dutton (22 November 2019). "Born A King wins Best Film award at UK film festival". The National. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
edit