The King Is Alive (2000)

Writers:

William Shakespeare (inspired by play "King Lear")
Kristian Levring (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

11 May 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

As the sand shifts...madness nears.

Plot:

When a bus breaks down in the desert, the passengers decide to stage "King Lear." |

Plot Keywords:

Desert | Bus | Sex | Temper | Shakespeare's King Lear

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Miles Anderson	...	Jack
Romane Bohringer	...	Catherine
David Bradley	...	Henry
David Calder	...	Charles
Bruce Davison	...	Ray
Brion James	...	Ashley
Peter Khubeke	...	Kanana (as Peter Kubheka)
Vusi Kunene	...	Moses
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Gina
Janet McTeer	...	Liz
Chris Walker	...	Paul
Lia Williams	...	Amanda

Also Known As:

Dogme # 4 - The King Is Alive (Denmark) (series title)
Dogme 4
The King Is Alive (Denmark)
O Rei Está Vivo (Portugal) [pt]
O vasilias tis erimou (Greece) (DVD title) [el]
The King Is Alive (Spain) [es]

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and language.

Runtime:

Denmark:110 min | France:108 min | Japan:108 min | Portugal:108 min | USA:105 min (TV version: IFC print)

Country:

Sweden | Denmark | USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Iceland:14 | Denmark:11 | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/16 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Kolmanskop, Sperrgebiet, Namibia

Company:

Newmarket Capital Group

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Det danske dogmeri (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

Every 1's a Winner

Razor sharp, original and a little disturbing. Excellence in Dogme95' stile direction.

A original and quite disturbing look at human psychology in a terrene rather different from what we are used to. It is rare that one can go ahead and call a film genius but in this instance it is not difficult. I have never seen a film which in such a simple manor built very strong character development, but this is what leads me to the location. Simple, visually stunning and to think about there seclusion from reality leaves you with only them. Which is why they are developed so well. They are raw and real to life each going through there own trials and tribulations.

The basis story is while a bus is driving through the desert with tourists, it takes a very inconvenient wrong turn. they end up deep in the desert. Watching them fall deep into hell if fascinating. The conclusion to this film is extremely powerful and without any doubt will stay memorable for a long time. Seeing how powerful the desert is against us is excellent and seeing King Lear being recited within is quite unbelievable. In conclusion the deserts power and symbolism which was taken for granted is more powerful than our education and lifestyles.Kristian Levring directed this project fantastically and even though Dogme95' ended around 6 years ago I would like to see him take more stylistic choices.