| Without the King | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Michael Skolnik |
| Produced by | Michael Skolnik |
| Written by | Michael Skolnik |
| Starring | Mswati III Princess Sikhanyiso Queen LaMbikiza |
| Cinematography | James Adolphus |
| Editing by | Martha Skolnik |
| Running time | 83 minutes |
| Language | English siSwati |
Without the King is a 2007 documentary film by Michael Skolnik, an American filmmaker. It follows problems of Swaziland, a landlocked country in southern Africa.
The film features Mswati III, the king of Swaziland, and his heiress and self claimed rapper Princess Sikhanyiso. It shows the angry populace and the country's problems such as a high HIV rate, comparing it with the daily life of Mswati III, Africa's last absolute monarch.
Many Swazis believe that the producers lied about the intent of the documentary to the royal family. The documentary paints a very ugly portrait of the royals. Many believe that the King or the Princess would have backed out of assisting with this film if they had known what the intent secretly was. The film looks at the very lavish lifestyles that they have, while trying to compare them to the poverty of their subjects. Princess Sikhanyiso is critical of the film. [1]