BOUDICA: Queen of War

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres, On Demand and Digital from writer/director Jesse V. Johnson and Saban Films comes the story of strength and leading warriors with BOUDICA: Queen of War.

Boudica (Olga Kurylenko) lives a quiet life with husband King Prasutagus (Clive Standen) and her two beautiful daughters in Britannia. Emperor Nero (Harry Kirton) is not happy with the people in that country, especially when learning that they believe a woman warrior is coming. To stop that, Nero orders that no woman will hold a high office or crown while he’s alive.

When the Roman’s make a visit to Britannia, it is clear they are wanting to make trouble. When King Prasutagus visits the other Iceni villages, he is attacked leaving Boudica to be crowned Queen. That doesn’t last when the Roman’s discover this is happening, they make it clear that now she is Queen of nothing and punish her in the most heinous of ways.

Rescued by Cartimanda (Lucy Martin), the village makes it clear that she is their rightful Queen and the Druid (James Faulkner) officiates the crowning once again. At first, Wolfar (Peter Franzen) is not happy believing he has what it takes to lead. Quickly he sees things that are unexplainable and realizes that Boudica has something very special.

What starts out as revenge for her husband turns into Boudica knowing that she must fight for her people and their freedom from the suppression inflicted on them by the Romans. Fight after fight, Boudica shows strength, courage and the power of belief.

Kurylenko as Boudica gives us a character who clearly loves her husband and girls, enjoying their life together. When the Romans invade, and they do invade in every way possible, she has people who depend on the crown she is given. Once realizing she is caught between the dream world and reality, Kurylenko helps to marry the two making the story even more amazing. Given the true history of Boudica, Kurylenko doesn’t hesitate to put her own strength and power into the role.

Franzen as Wolfar is a man who believes he is a strong leader for the people. Not sure he wants to follow the new Queen; it doesn’t take long before he is a witness’ the very reason why Boudica is the not only the right person but the chosen person to lead. Frazen’s character follows orders and even has moments to flirt with the Queen but all in all believes that she believes in their cause and so does he. His portrayal is charming, disarming and ferocious all at the same time.

Other cast includes Nick Moran as Catus Decianus, Leo Gregory as Ciaran, Yarden Toussia-Cohen as Cosmetae, Rachel Wilde (Rosmerta, James G. Nunn as Tamesas and Kris Johnson as Gaius Suetonius Paulinus.

Saban Films was launched in 2014 and has built an impressive slate of high-quality feature films distributed with partner Lionsgate. Focusing on talent-driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production to be released across multiple platforms. Films such as SISTER OF THE GROOM, FATMAN and BREACH are part of the wonderful Saban slate, and more information can be found at www.sabanfilms.com.

Jesse Johnson says, “There’s something heart-breaking about Thomas Thornycroft’s statue of Boudica and her daughters in Westminster; the mother and daughters appear to move, breathing as you watch them clinging to the speeding chariot. The placement of the statue beside the Houses of Parliament, just beneath Big Ben gives you a clue to the importance of these three women to this island nation. Looking back, I realize I have been fueled by a deep desire to ensure the audience hears her story and that they understand that what she fought for meant something.”

BOUDICA is the story of a woman who goes against a Roman Emperor and his need to control everything, including the coming of Boudica. Suppressing the people of Britannia, Boudica called upon her people to remember what life was like before the Roman’s invaded and occupied their lands. Freedom and liberty are what all the people wanted and Boudica was going to do whatever it took to give it to them.

Making that happen began when Boudica took her people to Camuldounum and made it clear that nothing or no one would be spared to show Rome that the Iceni tribes were serious. That was only the beginning of her campaigns. Today, sculptor Thomas Thornycroft, encouraged by Prince Albert, created a stunning statue of Boudica and her daughters that still stands today next to the Westminster Bridge.  

This film gives a brief look at the life of a woman who experienced a wonderful life, a painful life and a life that made her a warrior!

In the end – it’s a battle she is willing to take on for freedom!