Set in Corsica in the 1990s, Julien Colonna’s mob drama The Kingdom boasts fierce and overwhelmingly authentic performances from first-time actors. The story follows Lesia (Ghjuvanna Benedetti), a moody 15-year-old living with her aunt in Ajaccio, who is sent to live with her father, crime boss Pierre-Paul (Saveriu Santucci), after a summer romance.
Lesia soon discovers her father’s world of violence and revenge, becoming an intimate witness to his dealings. The film explores her transition from a rebellious teenager to a loyal daughter, reminiscent of characters like Mary Corleone or Meadow Soprano. The performances of Benedetti and Santucci in long, intimate dialogue scenes are outstanding, as Pierre-Paul explains the endless cycle of revenge that began with his father’s death.
The Kingdom is an intensely atmospheric, absorbing, and exciting drama that captures the inevitability of mob violence with shocking effect.
