The King Is Alive (2000)

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

Director:

Kristian Levring (uncredited)

Writers:

William Shakespeare (with: inspiration from "King Lear"), Kristian Levring

Stars:

Miles Anderson, Romane Bohringer, David Bradley

3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Miles Anderson	...	Jack
Romane Bohringer	...	Catherine
David Bradley	...	Henry
David Calder	...	Charles
Bruce Davison	...	Ray
Brion James	...	Ashley
Peter Khubeke	...	Kanana (as Peter Kubheka)
Vusi Kunene	...	Moses
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Gina
Janet McTeer	...	Liz
Chris Walker	...	Paul
Lia Williams	...	Amanda

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.

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Plot Keywords:

desert | tragedy | bus | stranded | village | 

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Taglines:

As the sand shifts...madness nears.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the fourth film to be made according to the Dogme 95 rules. The Dogme 95 was founded by Lars von Trier, Thomas Vinterberg, Søren Kragh-Jacobsen and Kristian Levring.

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Crazy Credits

In Memoriam Brion James

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Connections

References Staying Alive (1983)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

A consuming well acted film.

I cannot pretend to understand all the subtleties of the film as I am sure they are tied metaphorically to the subtext of King Lear, which I am only remotely familiar with. However, this film captured my attention and kept it. Wonderfully acted and refreshing casual with it's loose style, the human drama and character relationships are immediately captivating. There are some slow sections and bits where the movie strains belief, especially in the sudden decision to do a play, but overall a worthy experience for those, like myself, bored with shallow, explosion ridden, special-effects driven blockbusters. At any rate, this is one of those where you have to decide for yourself.

Details

Country:

Denmark Sweden Finland South Africa Norway USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

11 May 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

The King Is Alive

Filming Locations:

Sperrgebiet National Park, Namibia

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,929, 13 May 2001

Gross USA:

$17,929

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,929

Company Credits

Production Co:

Newmarket Capital Group, Good Machine, Zentropa Entertainments

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min (TV) 105 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1