Reviewed by Libby Drake, Thursday 3rd November 2016
Fans of The Ladies No 1 Detective Agency will already be familiar with the name Sir Seretse Khama, the former President of Botswana, who is deeply revered by the detective Precious Ramotswe, but his name will be unfamiliar to most, even though he was one of the highest achieving political leaders of the 20th century. Amma Asante's third film,
A United Kingdom, tells the true story of Seretse Khama's middle years.
The film starts in 1947 with Seretse as a young man studying law in London. One night, at a London Missionary Society social event he meets Ruth Williams, a white woman, who works as a clerk for Lloyds of London. They find that despite their hugely different backgrounds they have a lot in common and fall in love. This is where their trouble starts. Seretse is heir to the throne of the Bamangwato people of Bechuanaland (now Botswana). His uncle, Tshekedi Khama, who is acting as regent, is against the marriage and points out that Seretse choosing a white English commoner as his wife would be as popular as Princess Elizabeth going to Africa and choosing a black commoner for her husband. On one side, Ruth is disowned by her own father and, on the other, Tshekedi Khama prompts the British government to step in and try to prevent the marriage. The young couple is very determined, and marry in a registry office, despite enormous opposition.
This is a sorry segment in British history. Bechaunaland was a British Protectorate and bordered with South Africa where mixed race marriage was banned by law in 1949. Segregation was creeping into Bechaunaland and the South Africans were highly displeased with Seretse Khama's marriage. The British were still in debt after WWII and didn't want to upset the South African government as they relied heavily on their cheap minerals, particularly gold and uranium. In the years that Bechaunaland was a British protectorate Britain had the right to ratify any succession. Due to the political sensitivities, the British government declared Seretse Khama unfit to govern Bechuanaland and Seretse, Ruth and their first child were exiled from Bechaunaland for an initial period of five years. This ruling was in spite of a suppressed parliamentary enquiry that found Seretse "eminently fit to rule". The Khama's lived in London for five years at which point they were allowed to return to Bechaunaland after Seretse renounced the throne. The only way Seretse could return to his homeland, with Ruth as his wife, was as a commoner.
A United Kingdom covers the years where the two meet and marry in London, move to Bechuanaland, return to London to live in exile and then finally move back to Bechuanaland. Ruth faces much opposition in her adopted country, including from her husband's family. She is told that the black Africans do not want her and that she will be shunned by the white population. Ruth finds that as a white woman she is placed 'above' her black prince husband. At a hotel, Ruth is permitted to order a gin and lime, but Seretse is prohibited from drinking alcohol. The couple is allowed to stay in the 'whites only' hotel as Seretse has special dispensation because he is royalty, but they cannot use the front entrance.
David Oyelowo, who played Martin Luther King in Selma, gives a strong performance as Seretse Khama. Rosamund Pike, recently seen in Gone Girl and What We Did on Our Holiday, also gives a strong performance as Ruth Williams. The pair makes a totally convincing couple. They are accompanied by a host of known British faces, with Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter) playing another unpleasant character.
The cinematography is beautiful, of both landscapes and close-ups of the people. The lighting is superb. For authenticity, the African scenes are shot in Botswana and many locations have been shot or constructed from historical film and photos. The storytelling does feel contrived at times, for example, when Seretse Khama addresses a large gathering and asks who will support him. At first, there is a long silence, then slowly one person stands, then another and finally a large percentage shows support. Another example is the dancing together in the bedroom scene. Such blatant techniques may work for some people but can detract for others.
A United Kingdom is very much a romance, a love story that triumphs over adversity, and that is OK, because Seretse and Ruth must have both been very strong individuals with a very strong love for each other. If their bond had not been extremely strong their relationship would never have survived. The story is also about the socio-political thinking and political machinations of the late 1940s and early 1950s, much of which is very shocking to us now. The film ends before Khama establishes a political party, helps gain independence and becomes President - in which position he turns around the fortunes of Botswana. Obviously the events and issues covered can only be given surface treatment, and at times situations feel glossed over, but the film remains true to the couple's journey.
In summary, this is a visually stunning, enjoyable and entertaining romantic drama, where the love of two individuals triumphs over the machinations of the governments of three countries.
A United Kingdom is screening at the Palace Nova, Adelaide, South Australia at 6.30pm on Saturday 12th November and 4.15pm on Saturday 19th November.
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