Africa is teeming with stories of unsung heroes who overcame insurmountable obstacles in order to advance their society. Cameroon, my country of origin, is no exception to this phenomenon. When my friend and colleague Adetokumboh M'Cormack sent me the script for 'The German King' over a year ago, I was surprised at his interest in doing a film about a Cameroonian historical figure, given his own Sierra Leonian heritage. I was later to learn that Ade had compiled a list of Africans whose stories he felt needed to be told, and he decided to start with King Rudolf Duala Manga Bell because his story resonated the most. Ade's passion for this story convinced me to join the cast and his determination to help shape Africa's narrative of its own history compelled me to join the production team as a producer.
"I felt compelled to tell this story so that another young boy growing up in Africa would have the opportunity that I didn’t have - to see themselves reflected positively in the media. To see that a “black man” in the 1900’s could in fact be smart and articulate and brilliant and a king. Someone that a 12 year old me would have loved to look up to and emulate." - Adetokumboh M'Cormack
Synopsis: Set in 1914 at the start of World War I, The German King is the true story of Rudolf Douala Manga Bell; a German raised African prince who becomes king after his father’s death. Upon returning home to Cameroon, he sees his people being oppressed and killed under Kaiser Wilhelm II’s colonial rule. He realizes the only way to put an end to his nation’s suffering, is to lead his people in a rebellion against the Kaiser; a man he once considered his brother.
An insightful short that tells the story of one of Africa’s greatest forgotten heroes, 'The German King' gives the viewer an honest account of the soul-destroying effects colonialism and the First World War had on the African continent, and the heroes who risked everything to change it.
After a year of anticipation, we are finally launching the film on the festival circuit in Africa; a fitting launching pad given the film's subject matter and it's goal to empower Africans. 'The German King' will have its world premiere at the Zanzibar International Film Festival immediately followed by the Ecrans Noirs Film Festival in Cameroon, not to mention the LA Shorts Film Festival in Hollywood - all slated for July 2019. It will then go on to screen at the Black Harvest Film Festival (presented by the Gene Siskel Film Center) as well at the BronzeLens Film Festival (both Academy Award-Qualifying film festivals) in August. Incidentally, I'm an alumni of BronzeLens, where I received the Best Actress award for 'Ben & Ara' in 2016.
Writer & Director: Adetokumboh M'Cormack Executive Producer: Pauley Perrette Producers: Adetokumboh M'Cormack, Constance Ejuma, Chris Freeman, Vincent Shakir Co-Producers: Hannah Sturwold, Raphael Corkhill, Joannes B. Hotagua, Olaykina Warritay, Trey Page, Kwabena Darkwah, Robert Averell, Rupesh Appahhan
Director of Photography: Justin Janowitz Editor: Hannah Sturwold Production Designer: Stephonika W. Kaye Costume Designers: Makenzi Jordan, Mariama Suma Composer: Theodore Ramirez
Sound Designer: Christopher Marino
Leading Cast: King Rudolf - Adetokumboh M'Cormack Empress Augusta Victoria - Scottie Thompson Queen Emily - Constance Ejuma Kaiser Wilhelm II - Raphael Corkhill Alexandre - Kwabena Darkwah Ibrahim Njoya - Jude Yong Martin-Paul Samba - James Troup Douala Chief - Lenny Juma Otto Gleim - Markus Jorgensen
Visit https://germankingmovie.com/ for ongoing film festival updates.