Despite its raved reviews, some people are calling for African Americans to boycott Viola Davis’ new film, “The Woman King.”
The call has caused #boycottwomanking to trend online after some are pushing that the film glorifies slavery.
“The Woman King separates audiences: Descendants of slave traders say support our black sister ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾 descendants of slaves say boycott”
“I agree with not supporting Woman King just because you see your skin tone attached to it. But stop saying the Dahomey sold ‘us’ into ‘Slavery.’ Thats still continuing that narrative, the greatest lie ever told that “we all came from Africa”. Boycott that lie too”
I agree with not supporting Woman King just because you see your skin tone attached to it. But stop saying the Dahomey sold "us" into "Slavery". Thats still continuing that narrative, the greatest lie ever told that "we all came from Africa". Boycott that lie too
— CDRC (@_CDRC_) September 18, 2022
However, others are saying this is a swift rush to judgment and a mischaracterization of the movie, and an attempt to dismiss the work of a project that is predominately produced, directed and starring Black women.
“Now that it’s out, I can say this: The people telling you to boycott The Woman King, for the reasons they’re stating, sound crazy because the film literally deals with the reasons they’re stating.”
Now that it’s out, I can say this:
— Candice Marie Benbow (@CandiceBenbow) September 17, 2022
The people telling you to boycott The Woman King, for the reasons they’re stating, sound crazy because the film literally deals with the reasons they’re stating.
“Sorry but it’s suspicious af to me to see people saying boycott The Woman King because the Oya Empire & Kingdom of Dahomey were involved in the slave trade when similar critiques of Our Flag Means Death and Hamilton have been challenged or ignored all together.”
Sorry but it’s suspicious af to me to see people saying boycott The Woman King because the Oya Empire & Kingdom of Dahomey were involved in the slave trade when similar critiques of Our Flag Means Death and Hamilton have been challenged or ignored all together.
— cowboy kenna 🤠 (@mouseabolition) September 17, 2022
The call for the boycott did not stop millions from flooding movie theaters to the tune of an early debut weekend box office reading of $19 million. According to Deadline, the film pulled in on Friday, including $1.7M previews, $6.8M, and Saturday pulled in $7.15M. Experts believe those numbers were so high was because of word of mouth.
It is also because movie critics, specifically Black and African critics, have given the movie thumbs up.
Perhaps the boycott was too much too late.