Dahomey’s fearless female warriors were called, the Mino. They had their own flag, insignia and marching band. When they seized an enemy, they decapitated him and hastened to brandish these severed heads as trophies and to scare the enemy away. “Win or die” was their adage. These terrible female fighters considered themselves braver and stronger than their male counterparts. As they passed, the population knelt down in recognition, gratitude and respect. The Mino were considered demi-goddesses. Nawi, the last amazon died in 1979 at the age of 100 after fighting French troops at the end of the 19th century
Let's hope this movie is the start of many more movies being made about African history, as there was an western agenda to bury and erase the history of Africa to make Black people seems lesser people and Hollywood hasn't helped by not wanting to tell stories where white people where not the heroes for so long. There has been so much epic African history that has been ignored by the west and Hollywood. Musa Mansa is the richest man to have ever lived in human history because he controlled the Salt and Spice routes of the world and is as important to human history as Alexander The Great and Genghis Khan. You would have salt and spices in other parts of the world if not for him and erased from history because he was an African King. I read the Phillip Barnaby book Another Man's War about the true story of African soldiers during World War 2 in Burma and it was the most epic story I had ever read about World War 2, that was a combination of the Goonies, Saving Private Ryan, Anne Frank, 300 and Magnificent 7 and when I finished the book I was angry because I was wondering how such a epic, cinematic true story had not been made into film and I quickly realised it is because the heroes where African soldiers. So now I don't watch war movies knowing this story exists and no one in Hollywood wants to tell this incredible true story. African Soldiers saved all of Asian being conquered by the Japanese.
More African history movies would be nice. Including one about Musa (there is also a lack of Islamic history movies). But please, real history movies not "inspired by history" which are only accurate for about 10% or so.
@@SomeGuy-sd4kp If you want a 90% accurate telling of history read a book or watch documentary. Blockbusters serve as getting people interested in the subject matter to find the real history. The problem is western historians and Hollywood have only been either interested in telling white western history or white washing real history. So the Lone Ranger was based off a Real Cowboy who was Black and they white washed the character even in modern films. Ancient Egyptians where never white or olived coloured people, they darker complexion Africanoid peoples because Europeans only arrived 1500 years ago when their civilisation had been around for 7500 years before, but Hollywood insists on portraying ancient Egyptians as fair skinned when they never were. Hollywood has been very bad at appropriating and white washing history.
@@Delboy0 60% accuracy would already be a good first step. From the trailer and promotional material this movie is more fiction than fact, moving historical persons through time, having them behave completely different (Ghezo was quite defiant towards Europeans and did not need a pep talk to oppose them) and the backstory about why France and Dahomey fought is at best bend a lot and will most likely be the complete opposite of history as Dahomey was technically the aggressor as they raided subjects of France for slaves. And of course the amazons are again savage warriors fighting in the dark with swords instead of formation fighting with guns like they actually did...
I'm already obssessed with this film, and thanks for reacting to it as I haven't seen anyone else do it as yet! I love the female focus of this, from the director to the beautiful, deeper hued black women like Viola Davis that have talked about how colourism in Hollywood has affected their careers. Of course she was obssesed with bringing the story of the Agojie to the screen - it's about resuscitating the history of a powerful group of women, the architype of which was a complete 180 to the European perspective, but it's also about representation, about young women seeing you don't have to look like Beyonce (and I love Queen B) to be a beautiful, strong, black woman. Give me this over Wonder Woman any day!
African history is world history. I believe it just as important. It's 2022 there's no need to white wash history. I see this as something positive for the world.
Even though this movie is based on a true story, it isn't a documentary. However, human history has far more interesting stories to tell. The entertainment industry has only barely scratched the surface. The title of woman king may simply be because in their language "king" may mean supreme ruler, so there is no gender distinction, OR they may not have a word for queen.
@@SomeGuy-sd4kp What's your specific issue with the title/subject matter? I sense there's more to your comment than just the stringing together of three benign words. I'm asking for your most sincere and intellectually honest answer. I'm not attacking you, as I don't feel you're attacking me. So let's keep the conversation on that level. That said, let's watch the movie and we'll resume this conversation later.
@@The10thManRules That the Mino existed in real life and never were they kings, queens or otherwise a ruler. Especially as the woman in movie are supposed to represent actual, real life persons. So calling them king in any form would be misleading and ahistorical (and while some details in the trailers are quite historical I am worried that in the end the movie will be mostly fiction). And if you just want to point out that there were female kings in Africa, like some suggested was the reason for the name, then make a movie about not them and not the Mino.
@@SomeGuy-sd4kp What specifically are you referencing? I'm skeptical of people who speak with a certain tone and certainty. You seem a cut above a petty troll. I'm not sure what motivates you to comment so incessantly, but maybe it's passion. IDK.
@@The10thManRules Why do you assume that everyone who disagrees with you is a troll? If you want a historical movie about "a woman king" you have for example queen Amina of Zaria (the warrior queen) who was a excellent military leader and directly fought on the frontline similar to the Mino. Or Yaa Asantewaa who tried to resist British colonization. Or Nzinga Mbande who fought against Portugal. Those really were "woman kings" while the Mino "only" were elite soldiers, but never kings.
Ehhh idk about this one. the West African kingdom Dahomey was pro slavery actually. And even fought to preserve it. This film is seemingly making it as if they fought for freedom. Hopefully the film is well made but accuracy has already been thrown out the window which is highly disappointing, especially knowing so many people will glorify this “warrior women”.
5:03 - hate to disappoint you, but it's more fiction than truth. Dahomey kingdom was a brutal and savage with slavery playing a big part. As did mass executions and human sacrifices. The only time Dahomey fought against "evil white man" is when Europeans tried to stop them from enslaving innocent people and selling them like animals. Or butchering them for the gods. So if Hollywood wants to follow historic facts - the white guys are the heroes and the chicks are the bad guys. How about this - each Dahomey female warrior had up 50 personal slaves.
King Tamar of Georgia was considered one of the best kings they ever had - she was even called King of Kings. King Mary of Hungary, King Raziya of the Delhi Sultanate, King Jadwiga of Poland are also historical female Kings.
I wonder if the movie will show that the French were defending their African trade partners from the Dahomey who were attempting to enslave them? Also, I wonder if the film will show that the French won in a couple hours like they did in the actual battle?
Didn't the Roman Empire,the Greeks ,the so called Vikings and more ,didn't they all practice SLAVERY but what do we see in most of their films? .Read a book Ryan
@@samkelombambo2610 Always see slaves in Roman movies, Spartacus is a prime example and Viking movies touch on that subject also. The Northman is the most recent film about Vikings and it showed the true brutality of white man taking white slaves unfortunately Hollywood are cowards on other peoples.
"not change the history but change the representation of history" , excuse me what? my friend , this is called historical revisionism . This kingdom which has a name "Dahomey" was built on slavery and savagery like mass killings of neighbour tribes and colonising them . You guys forget that slavery existed in Africa long before europeans colonised it , europeans in fact stoped the slavery ,and now after african nations got independence we see slavery emerging again there ,without white men interfering! This movie says "based on POWERFUL true events" which as a historian myself makes me laugh hard . If it was another black empowerment movie like black panther i would say nothing , everyone needs their heroes and dose of nationalism right? well except white europeans ofc but this movie pretends to be accurate which is not . The characters in this movie are not even contemporaries lol .
“The conqueror writes history. They came, they conquered, and they wrote. Now you don’t expect people who came to invade us to write the truth about us. They will always write negative things about us. And they have to do that, because they have to justify their invasions" Miriam Makheba. We are the descendants of our ancestors, we know the truth.
@@carolmncube5891 So how did your ancestors force the Europeans of various nations to write into their history books that they bought thousands of slaves from the traders in Dahomey each year?
@@carolmncube5891 it's not hidden history, in fact it's celebrated in certain parts of Africa. Without whiteman going in and stopping the trade people would still be conquering and enslaving people. A bit like boko haram!
Dahomey’s fearless female warriors were called, the Mino. They had their own flag, insignia and marching band.
When they seized an enemy, they decapitated him and hastened to brandish these severed heads as trophies and to scare the enemy away. “Win or die” was their adage. These terrible female fighters considered themselves braver and stronger than their male counterparts. As they passed, the population knelt down in recognition, gratitude and respect. The Mino were considered demi-goddesses. Nawi, the last amazon died in 1979 at the age of 100 after fighting French troops at the end of the 19th century
"it reminds me a little bit of your feminist meetings in the seventies" LMAO!!!!!
I laughed/coughed up my coffee. His relationship with his mom is amazing. Would love to meet his mom. She must be an amazing lady.
Let's hope this movie is the start of many more movies being made about African history, as there was an western agenda to bury and erase the history of Africa to make Black people seems lesser people and Hollywood hasn't helped by not wanting to tell stories where white people where not the heroes for so long. There has been so much epic African history that has been ignored by the west and Hollywood.
Musa Mansa is the richest man to have ever lived in human history because he controlled the Salt and Spice routes of the world and is as important to human history as Alexander The Great and Genghis Khan. You would have salt and spices in other parts of the world if not for him and erased from history because he was an African King.
I read the Phillip Barnaby book Another Man's War about the true story of African soldiers during World War 2 in Burma and it was the most epic story I had ever read about World War 2, that was a combination of the Goonies, Saving Private Ryan, Anne Frank, 300 and Magnificent 7 and when I finished the book I was angry because I was wondering how such a epic, cinematic true story had not been made into film and I quickly realised it is because the heroes where African soldiers. So now I don't watch war movies knowing this story exists and no one in Hollywood wants to tell this incredible true story. African Soldiers saved all of Asian being conquered by the Japanese.
More African history movies would be nice. Including one about Musa (there is also a lack of Islamic history movies).
But please, real history movies not "inspired by history" which are only accurate for about 10% or so.
@@SomeGuy-sd4kp If you want a 90% accurate telling of history read a book or watch documentary. Blockbusters serve as getting people interested in the subject matter to find the real history. The problem is western historians and Hollywood have only been either interested in telling white western history or white washing real history. So the Lone Ranger was based off a Real Cowboy who was Black and they white washed the character even in modern films. Ancient Egyptians where never white or olived coloured people, they darker complexion Africanoid peoples because Europeans only arrived 1500 years ago when their civilisation had been around for 7500 years before, but Hollywood insists on portraying ancient Egyptians as fair skinned when they never were. Hollywood has been very bad at appropriating and white washing history.
@@Delboy0 60% accuracy would already be a good first step.
From the trailer and promotional material this movie is more fiction than fact, moving historical persons through time, having them behave completely different (Ghezo was quite defiant towards Europeans and did not need a pep talk to oppose them) and the backstory about why France and Dahomey fought is at best bend a lot and will most likely be the complete opposite of history as Dahomey was technically the aggressor as they raided subjects of France for slaves.
And of course the amazons are again savage warriors fighting in the dark with swords instead of formation fighting with guns like they actually did...
This trailer gave me goosebumps, I'm so excited to watch this movie ❤️
I'm already obssessed with this film, and thanks for reacting to it as I haven't seen anyone else do it as yet! I love the female focus of this, from the director to the beautiful, deeper hued black women like Viola Davis that have talked about how colourism in Hollywood has affected their careers. Of course she was obssesed with bringing the story of the Agojie to the screen - it's about resuscitating the history of a powerful group of women, the architype of which was a complete 180 to the European perspective, but it's also about representation, about young women seeing you don't have to look like Beyonce (and I love Queen B) to be a beautiful, strong, black woman. Give me this over Wonder Woman any day!
This is my country History 🇧🇯🥰🥰🥰
Thank you for reacting to this. Much love 👍🏽👍🏽🤩🤩🤩🤩
African history is world history.
I believe it just as important.
It's 2022 there's no need to white wash history.
I see this as something positive for the world.
Viola Davis - How to get away with murder?
Bingo
Even though this movie is based on a true story, it isn't a documentary. However, human history has far more interesting stories to tell. The entertainment industry has only barely scratched the surface.
The title of woman king may simply be because in their language "king" may mean supreme ruler, so there is no gender distinction, OR they may not have a word for queen.
Yes, but none of the amazons were "kings" or married to one. So who does that title refer to?
@@SomeGuy-sd4kp What's your specific issue with the title/subject matter? I sense there's more to your comment than just the stringing together of three benign words.
I'm asking for your most sincere and intellectually honest answer. I'm not attacking you, as I don't feel you're attacking me. So let's keep the conversation on that level.
That said, let's watch the movie and we'll resume this conversation later.
@@The10thManRules That the Mino existed in real life and never were they kings, queens or otherwise a ruler. Especially as the woman in movie are supposed to represent actual, real life persons. So calling them king in any form would be misleading and ahistorical (and while some details in the trailers are quite historical I am worried that in the end the movie will be mostly fiction).
And if you just want to point out that there were female kings in Africa, like some suggested was the reason for the name, then make a movie about not them and not the Mino.
@@SomeGuy-sd4kp What specifically are you referencing? I'm skeptical of people who speak with a certain tone and certainty.
You seem a cut above a petty troll. I'm not sure what motivates you to comment so incessantly, but maybe it's passion. IDK.
@@The10thManRules Why do you assume that everyone who disagrees with you is a troll?
If you want a historical movie about "a woman king" you have for example queen Amina of Zaria (the warrior queen) who was a excellent military leader and directly fought on the frontline similar to the Mino.
Or Yaa Asantewaa who tried to resist British colonization. Or Nzinga Mbande who fought against Portugal.
Those really were "woman kings" while the Mino "only" were elite soldiers, but never kings.
I love viola Davis this looks fantastic I will be watching
This looks brill! Love Viola Davis ❤
I like your reaction family. Your mom so adorable and knowledgeable watching from Africa.
Wow !!!
Ehhh idk about this one. the West African kingdom Dahomey was pro slavery actually. And even fought to preserve it. This film is seemingly making it as if they fought for freedom. Hopefully the film is well made but accuracy has already been thrown out the window which is highly disappointing, especially knowing so many people will glorify this “warrior women”.
No they didn’t stop lying lmao
This is what the Dora milaje are based on
5:03 - hate to disappoint you, but it's more fiction than truth. Dahomey kingdom was a brutal and savage with slavery playing a big part. As did mass executions and human sacrifices. The only time Dahomey fought against "evil white man" is when Europeans tried to stop them from enslaving innocent people and selling them like animals. Or butchering them for the gods. So if Hollywood wants to follow historic facts - the white guys are the heroes and the chicks are the bad guys.
How about this - each Dahomey female warrior had up 50 personal slaves.
Wakanda is a very good comparison although the Black Panther film is probably more accurate regarding actual African history.
Love you guys ❤❤❤❤
This movie is for all woman not just african woman
No it’s for the black women
1st time seeing your video reactions. I enjoyed the commentary. Serious, genuine but with humor. Blessings to ya.
Nice reaction.
My regards to Mom.
we agreed
Wow
King Tamar of Georgia was considered one of the best kings they ever had - she was even called King of Kings.
King Mary of Hungary, King Raziya of the Delhi Sultanate, King Jadwiga of Poland are also historical female Kings.
I'm a fan of you three...I see why dad is so great.... because he comes from a BADASSSSSSED MOM... grandbaby is BADASSSS TOO
Looks awesome
I love your family! Good people
I wonder if the movie will show that the French were defending their African trade partners from the Dahomey who were attempting to enslave them? Also, I wonder if the film will show that the French won in a couple hours like they did in the actual battle?
Yes i also wonder if they will make a movie about the original and first europeans who were black
Didn't the Roman Empire,the Greeks ,the so called Vikings and more ,didn't they all practice SLAVERY but what do we see in most of their films? .Read a book Ryan
@@samkelombambo2610 Always see slaves in Roman movies, Spartacus is a prime example and Viking movies touch on that subject also.
The Northman is the most recent film about Vikings and it showed the true brutality of white man taking white slaves unfortunately Hollywood are cowards on other peoples.
holywood showing something good about the french ? not going to happen homie
Your daughter is gorgeous... The end
And you are very educated 💡
She’s alright I prefer Octavia Spencer , she was in Doubt which I loved she was also in sunshine 🌞 Widows with Liam Neeson
More are still coming wait for Hyksos
true history are you nuts
"not change the history but change the representation of history" , excuse me what? my friend , this is called historical revisionism .
This kingdom which has a name "Dahomey" was built on slavery and savagery like mass killings of neighbour tribes and colonising them . You guys forget that slavery existed in Africa long before europeans colonised it , europeans in fact stoped the slavery ,and now after african nations got independence we see slavery emerging again there ,without white men interfering!
This movie says "based on POWERFUL true events" which as a historian myself makes me laugh hard . If it was another black empowerment movie like black panther i would say nothing , everyone needs their heroes and dose of nationalism right? well except white europeans ofc but this movie pretends to be accurate which is not . The characters in this movie are not even contemporaries lol .
We in Africa know this and we just laugh at the white people (including black Americans/British) that think they know what they are talking about.
“The conqueror writes history. They came, they conquered, and they wrote. Now you don’t expect people who came to invade us to write the truth about us. They will always write negative things about us. And they have to do that, because they have to justify their invasions" Miriam Makheba.
We are the descendants of our ancestors, we know the truth.
@@carolmncube5891 So how did your ancestors force the Europeans of various nations to write into their history books that they bought thousands of slaves from the traders in Dahomey each year?
@@carolmncube5891 it's not hidden history, in fact it's celebrated in certain parts of Africa.
Without whiteman going in and stopping the trade people would still be conquering and enslaving people.
A bit like boko haram!