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The King Is Alive (2000)

 -  Drama  -  11 May 2001 (USA)
6.4
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Ratings: 6.4/10 from 1,431 users   Metascore: 52/100
Reviews: 28 user | 34 critic | 25 from Metacritic.com

When a bus breaks down in the desert, the passengers decide to stage "King Lear."

Writers:

(inspired by play "King Lear"), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
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Title: The King Is Alive (2000)

The King Is Alive (2000) on IMDb 6.4/10

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3 wins & 2 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
Jack
...
Catherine
...
Henry
...
Charles
...
Ray
...
Ashley
Peter Khubeke ...
Kanana (as Peter Kubheka)
Vusi Kunene ...
Moses
...
Gina
...
Liz
Chris Walker ...
Paul
Lia Williams ...
Amanda
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Storyline

While shifting airports by bus in Africa, a group of passengers is driven to the middle of nowhere in the desert by the driver that is following a defective compass. They run out of gas and they reach a ghost village inhabited by a single man, Kanana. One passenger that has experience with desert gives five advices to the others to survive in the spot, among them to keep the spirit high, while he travels through the desert seeking for help. One intellectual in the stranded group suggests the performance of King Lear to keep the morale of the survivors. Along the days, while hope decreases, the tension increases among the survivors. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

As the sand shifts...madness nears.

Genres:

Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and language | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

| |

Language:

|

Release Date:

11 May 2001 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Dogme 4  »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$17,929 (USA) (11 May 2001)

Gross:

$103,505 (USA) (10 August 2001)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (TV) | (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Crazy Credits

In Memoriam Brion James See more »

Connections

References Staying Alive (1983) See more »

Soundtracks

"Blood on the Moon"
(2000)
Composed by Derek Thompson
Production: Derek Thompson (as Hoodlum Priest) at Alpha 60
See more »

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User Reviews

 
A real life changer
31 May 2005 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

I was speechless after seeing this movie. I started watching it late on a weekday, knowing I would have to get up the next day but couldn't tear myself away! I had to know what would happen to the characters. The situation was starkly realized, and I could feel the slow dawning of awareness as the bus passengers see how futile their schedules and agendas are, survival quickly becomes the priority. I think to center criticism on the chances of getting lost like that and other plot details miss the point. The choice of "Lear" as a play to put on to distract from the terrible circumstances does not seem contrived, and this would not be the first movie to work the Shakespearean tragedy into its story, with, I thought an awful premonition of what was to come.


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