If you’re re sucker for real-life love stories, we’ve got a treat for you 😉
Based on the romance between Sir Seretse Goitsebeng Maphiri Khama and Ruth Williams, “A United Kingdom” is an upcoming British biopic that is directed by “Belle” helmer Amma Asante. The film is scheduled to be screened at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival and it will also be the opening film at the 60th London Film Festival.
“A United Kingdom” will star “Gone Girl” actress Rosamund Pike as Ruth Williams and “The Butler” actor David Oyelowo as Seretse Khama.
In speaking about the movie prior to the trailer’s release, Oyelowo said that he became obsessed with the couple’s story since discovering Susan Williams best-selling non-fiction novel, “The Colour Bar”. “I was so struck by the level of challenge they faced simply for falling in love with each other that I became completely intoxicated with it,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
He also added that in addition to collecting producers during every film he shot, he had to recruit Pike to play the lead actress. So Oyelowo sent her images of these 2 people to which she replied, “I don’t know who these people are. I don’t know what they’ve done with their lives. But I’m so moved by them, tell me more”.
Set in London in the 40s, Seretse Khama, the King of Botswana, met Ruth Williams, a London office worker. They were perfect for each other, but interracial was not up to social standards. Their proposed marriage was challenged not only by their families but by the British and South African governments.
Despite the challenges they are facing, Seretse and Ruth never wavered – they fought for their love every step of the way, and in so doing changed their nation and inspired the world.
Watch the trailer for “A United Kingdom” below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i9Lbko1w0o
“A United Kingdom” is scheduled to hit theaters in the UK on 25th November.
Sources: Coming Soon, EW.
