Without the King (2007) User Reviews

A Revolution Waiting to Happen

[groggo · 8/10 · 10 January 2008]

Michael Skolnik has made a solid (and understated) documentary about the king of Swaziland and his ultra-opulent lifestyle -- a fleet of limousines, a luxury personal jet, his own private army, about $9 billion in offshore accounts, and a sumptuous personal palace for himself and his 13 wives (he was apparently building separate palaces for 11 of his wives while this film was being made).

The king also has a teen-age daughter who speaks with an American accent, attends college in California, and (remarkably) says about Swaziland's culture: 'without the king, there is no culture.' This gives the film its title, but it's also an ominous play on words for the probable fate of her father. The comment pompously suggests that the people of Swaziland had little, if anything, to do with the development of their own culture. It is reminiscent of Louis XIV's alleged remark 'L'etat, c'est moi' ('I am the state').

King Mswati III rules with supreme authority, although Swaziland nominally has a prime minister, cabinet and a legislative body -- all appointed by the king himself and all quartered behind closely guarded walls.

In the midst of all the king's luxury, the great majority of Swazis live in misery and near-starvation. The country (pop. 1.8 million) has the world's highest HIV/AIDS rate (about 46 per cent) and the lowest life-expectancy (about 31 years). People must depend on the World Food Programme for survival.

Revolutions foment inevitably in these conditions ('Freedom in Our Lifetime' is prominently stencilled on the back of one of the rebel leader's t-shirts). The viewer is not surprised to hear these sentiments repeated many times, a stark contrast to the king and his many courtiers, who are so detached from their country's realities that they're not sure what all the fuss is about.

The king pays lip service to the terrible conditions in his country, but he has had 20 years in which to do something about it. He hasn't, and he doesn't, and he will surely go the way of other supreme rulers who did not heed that famous writing on the wall. This film was made only a year ago (in early 2007), so watch for future reports from Swaziland.

Excellent but biassed documentary on Swaziland

[wyngaard · 7/10 · 3 May 2008]

I've been waiting for some time to see this documentary as I have been living and working in Swaziland since 1985. We are given a fairly honest look at some parts of Swaziland - the monarchy on the one hand and on the other hand the upcoming generation, many of whom are living on the outskirts of the main towns, Mbabane and Manzini, in the hope of making a better living in the towns but devoid of any means to produce their own food and therefore living in great poverty if they should fail to find some form of occupation. However there are also other groups of which nothing is shown in the documentary - the business people earning good salaries and living a stable life and those in the rural areas, staunch supporters of the monarchy and who are mostly subsistence farmers. What was the aim of Michael Skolnik in making the documentary? Was he trying to warn the world of a possible revolution in the country? If so, why did he not also speak to the intelligentsia, many of whom are also disillusioned with the monarchy and would probably have been a better choice to influence world leaders rather than having to listen only to aggressive people, many of whom were obviously intoxicated while being interviewed? If his intentions was to give the world a picture of what is going on in Swaziland, (the good and the bad) then it would have been better if people from other backgrounds could also have been included. A few remarks on some of the more sensational things shown in the documentary: At one point it is said that people are so poor that they have to eat intestines from cows and chicken heads and feet. Although this is not my personal favourite, for many Swazi people this is a delicatessen which they enjoy eating. Frozen chicken pieces are sold in stores in packages which include the head and feet. The empty churches have absolutely nothing to do with the fear of people to gather for prayer. That is absolute rubbish! Most churches in Swaziland are small and not well attended, even though it is considered to be a Christian country, but this has nothing to do with any restrictions from government. The problem of AIDS is accurately shown in the documentary, except that the situation is even worse than is shown in the movie.

Very touching...but what are the answers?

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 21 March 2009]

I enjoyed this documentary very much, as I knew very little about Swaziland and it opened my eyes to a country that has many problems--not the least of which is the highest AIDS infection rate in the world. While this is only a small portion of the film, this certainly does not bode well for the future of this tiny nation. Whether or not they have a king or democratic government or anarchy, this problem certainly isn't going away soon.

The major thrust of the film, however, was on the political situation. Swaziland is the last kingdom in Africa and the king is THE government. He elects all of the government leaders in control of everyday decisions and he has the right to veto anything his hand picked men do. Additionally, according to the new constitution, he is exempt from the nation's laws. This is rather insane and anachronistic in the 21st century and I agree with the film makers that this isn't good. However, what is only alluded to briefly is that Africa has a history over the last 65 years of violent revolutions and chaos--making this once-fertile continent a more wretched place than it needs to be. So, as the film makers seem to say that major changes are needed, what needs to be done and how to do this without complete civil war and death? Fortunately, I saw some glimmer of hope here and there--but you really had to look for it in the film.

Whether or not these problems will be solved and how withstanding, the film definitely makes you think and you can't help but be affected by WITHOUT THE KING. It was a great conclusion to the film seeing the king's oldest daughter (who has always been pampered and sheltered) coming face to face with an impoverished AIDS orphanage. Perhaps there is some hope.

It's good to be the king

[John-444 · 10/10 · 21 May 2007]

A nice little 3-part tale shows us the king of Swaziland, the last absolute monarch in the world: his wives, palatial accommodations, fleet of luxury cars, etc. The filmmaker obviously enjoyed extraordinary access to the king and the royal family, and the king has a great deal to say about his role and his responsibilities. Unfortunately, all that talk seems wildly at odds with reality. Swaziland has the world's lowest life expectancy. The prevalence rate of AIDS in the population is almost 43%. The people earn roughly $.63 per day and subsist on donated food and offal. There is talk of revolution from many people who must now be at risk for espousing treason on camera. There is also the princess, sold to us as a rather spoiled brat who equates her father with the nation's culture, and cannot imagine the willful denial of either. She begins to see things through another point of view, but how far will that go?

Excellent

[masilelasc · 10/10 · 29 May 2008]

We thank you about the excellent work done on this documentary. I am not surprised at some comments that this piece of excellent work is biased. All those that have benefited from this regime shall cry foul, because you can not spit on your sit. There is serious brutality and a highest level of intimidation. It should be noted, that in Swaziland- which could have been covered is that decisions of the courts cannot be adhered to. As i write, the commissioner of police is in contempt of court and cannot be booked. The judges of the court of appeal had resigned enmasse due to non implementation of courts judgements for persons who are friends and cronies to the regime. Corruption and theft is the order of the day. Millionares have mushroomed in a day and no one cares, so long as you are below the royal umbrella. People have been displaced by forced removal from land of birth and some self exiled with fear of state brutality. I say this masterpiece just gave a clue of the real Swaziland. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK, MAY THE ALMIGHTY BLESS YOU ALL.

Made to SELL

[mahlasela · 10/10 · 23 September 2009]

It is a great pity that someone out there gets the information but chooses not to tell it as it is but to make a buck. Swaziland has some of the happiest people who are taken care of by their country. Either than give them handouts, they get land to live and work which gives them dignity. People have gotten so used to mass actions that they tend to want others to work to support them. Its a sad situation and Swaziland does not encourage it. I have lived there most of my life and have seen poor and rich. What is poor when you can have fields given to you, and grazing land allocated for your cattle. Give a man in the (poor) rural area money and he may have no use for it because all he/she needs comes from the soil. And to say they OPT for intestines is not true because they actually find them quite the treat, and they are. Just because someone thinks they can choose for other people what is good for them and what is not, does not necessarily mean they know anything. Saying the people live below poverty line because they live below the cost of $.68 a day seriously does not mean that they are starving. Unless starving for you is not putting money into the pockets of the already rich.

I challenge the honest money maker (if they exist) to go back and remake the film/documentary with some truth and research, and then make your call. And make it for another country and tell whoever will listen that there is paradise out there where there are no people living in what is called poverty. At least Swaziland will provide one with a start, and then its up to each individual to take it from there. You want to work for a living then you make it. You want to live on handouts, then it is your choice to make.

with a king

[leonie-24 · 1/10 · 16 June 2008]

I watched your documentary sir, and i can say I was very impressed by your skill to destroy a country like that. Sir, the country is not as poor as you depicted it, you've been here and you know that. You are quite aware of all the efforts the king is making towards the welfare of the people of the kingdom, but you decide to send a different picture to the world. WHY? True there are poverty stricken areas in SD, but Moneni was the wrong choice.First, because it's a township under the town council not Gov. secondly, the water you showed is not the water they drink, you just chose a dirty pond for livestock and that is evident in your documentary as you showed the cleaner water they use for their laundry. phew!!!!!

Your documentary is not the true reflection of the people and the beautiful kingdom because it doesn't give different views so it appears that it is a tool you and your friends(lousy political parties of Sd)are using to spark violence in the kingdom. In the documentary, no one is speaking on the side of the king but he himself, who will believe him? We wanted to put our views on that doc. Eish!!! that was very undemocratic 'sir'.

Sir, you need to know that the people who always cram the stadiums on the His Majesty's call are not doing that only because they love their culture but because they seriously love and support their King. Would you love someone who hates you? Would you listen to lying lips telling you they love you if you know exactly they don't? Actions speak louder than words, and never at any point will you hear the king telling his people he loves them - ACTION. But they just love him.

Watch during Traditional ceremonies, almost 10% of the population goes there. Just last week, we had the people's parliament and people crammed the place to forward their views. Then watch during these rallies which are against the king, you will see the nation standing on pavements just looking at what is going on.

Sir, you know exactly that the whole nation is in deeply in the king's heart. you have spent much time with him while making this documentary which HE allowed you to and innocently answered all your questions giving you perfect answers. I think He should be on fire if he does not do anything about this documentary because it is not an insult to him but the whole Swazi nation, so if he really loves us , he should protect us from such.

Lastly, it is serious that the luxury the king is enjoying should be watched with open eyes but honestly speaking, it is not true that that Swaziland is poor should be seen in the king's eyes. That he should attend all international duties without food in the stomach because the Swazis are hungry. The people of the kingdom don't want that. Just like any other head of state, so should our king appear, period.

Look I stay in swaziland but, Where is this fleet of limousines you are talking about?

Without the king

[kimmy-49 · 9/10 · 21 April 2008]

The trailer for the film looks intense. It's hard to believe that there is a country with a life expectancy of 31 yrs. of age. The Aids crisis is ridiculous.I'm interested in finding out what the Kings response is to his kingdom's issues. The princess appears like she really wants to help her country. I can't imagine the dilemma she must face between choosing her father or the people of her country. The crazy thing about the situation is that it's real life. I think this film will get people talking about what is going on in Swaziland. The independent film community in NYC is buzzing about the film. The director seems to be young and focused. I can't wait to see it this weekend.