The Kingdom

I have seen a lot of movies in the world of mafia. The Godfather offcourse, and also The Untouchables or Once Upon a Time in America or The Irishman.

But director Julien Colonna - what an overwhelming debut - finds a surprising angle in his first movie. 'Le royaume' shows the Corsican underworld through the eyes of the 15-year-old daughter of a clan head.

For all the actors, who were no professional actors, it was three years long that the director took the time to play their rolls superbly.

Main actress Ghjuvanna Benedetti plays very convincingly the role of the mafia daughter. She works for instance in her daily life at the fire brigade.

Her conversation with her father, actor Saveriu Santucci, who also plays magnificently, was one the touching moments I witnessed in all movies I have seen at the cinema.

Also I would like to say something about the very well chosen music and songs, with 'Complainte Corse' of famous singer Tino Rossi as a highlight.

It's the best film I have seen so far this year, here is my top 10 of movies in 2024: 1) LE ROYAUME 2) QUAND VIENT L'AUTOMNE 3) C'È ANCORA DOMANI 4) GOODBYE JULIA 5) WINTER BREAK / THE HOLDOVERS 6) HOW TO MAKE MILLIONS BEFORE GRANDMA DIES 7) LEE 8) PAST LIVES 9) IO CAPITANO 10) RADICAL

So go and watch 'Le Royaume'!

Corsican spirit at his best, as was also MAFIOSA series. This is a pure authentic Corsican crime drama, a story of course of vengeance, vendetta, and an amazing, fantastic character study, the analysis of a father daughter relationship. A very moving, sensitive, poignant story. More drama than crime, and written and directed by a young Corsican film director whose father was himself a Corsican underwolrd "godfather", killed in 2006. This promising film maker put all his guts, his spirit, his soul, in this pure little gem. Non professional actors give us performances that could be rewarded in an Academy Awards ceremony.