The Forgotten Kingdom
My intention was to take on a classical approach to the directing and cinematography of this film. Except for the kinetic opening sequence that takes place in Hillbrow (Johannesburg), most of the cinematography is in static shots or on slow dollys. I was interested in creating a quiet, meditative tone that parallels the character arc of the protagonist.
Authenticity was always of the highest priority to me. The story is fictional, but it represents a common scenario whereby Basotho men leave their homeland to seek employment in Johannesburg, the “city of gold.” Often these men only return when they are brought back to be buried. I spent nearly a year living in Lesotho before filming, collecting stories from the people, many of who gave valuable feedback to keep the story culturally genuine. Despite financial incentives for filming in South Africa, I never considered making this movie anywhere but in Lesotho. It was never an option to have the characters speak anything but the native Sesotho dialect.
The film is a universal story, but it is told from a unique perspective. My producers and I embraced the challenges of making a feature film in a country with mostly rough dirt roads, no professional actors, and no film industry (yet!). The Forgotten Kingdom is the first feature film produced in Lesotho. Like all journeys, it was a voyage into the great unknown.
Directors Statement courtesy of forgottenkingdomthemovie.com
