The Last Queen is Queen Zaphira, widow of King Salim Toumi who faces mourning and responsibilities in the face of the pirate Aroudj, who has just taken power in Algeria of 1516. The film follows the story of this Algerian legend and we are transported to the heart of the torments of the fascinating Zaphira.
A beautiful setting
The first quality of The Last Queen is its aesthetics. Particular attention is paid to the colors of this film, which plunges us into a period atmosphere without worry. Beyond these magnificent blocks of color, he shows us sumptuous decorations, whether it is the gigantic royal palace or more natural decorations. The costumes are equally exceptional and the attention to detail is impressive. The staging knows, all the more, to highlight its actors, sets and costumes with ease without ever falling into the contemplative. There is an undeniable beauty that emerges from the entirety of this film, supported beyond its aesthetics by its strong themes: love, strength, courage, despair, the limits of resilience.
The grief of a strong woman
The film is directed by Queen Zaphira, sumptuously played by the film's co-director Adila Bendimerad. While she is consumed by grief after the loss of her husband, she finds herself having to stand alone against the pirate Aroudj Barbarossa. The Last Queen explores the whole range of emotions of its main character without any difficulty. If sometimes its development takes on the air of a Greek tragedy, it always remains fair and gradually reaches the breaking point. The viewer is guided by Zaphira's emotions, which are put to the test as the film progresses. A true strong figure who tries not to be eaten away by her weaknesses, she is exciting to follow in all her evolution and she is a character who holds the film brilliantly, in its hypnotizing atmosphere. Pure love, sorrow, hatred, madness… Zaphira takes us with her in her torments and makes us unable to take our eyes off her from the beginning to the end of her touching story.
The perfect balance between action and emotion
The Last Queen is an ambitious film. While investing in large sets and costumes as well as strong action scenes for a small budget was a risky bet, here it is won brilliantly. Beyond this point that is to be welcomed, one of the strong points of The Last Queen is its rhythm that wanders from large impressive and posed paintings to scenes of visceral battles through more intimate sequences. Entertainment and emotion are guaranteed in a mix that is both endearing and thrilling that puts stars and tears in the eyes. We will also salute the quality of the fight choreographies but also the various scenes.
The Last Queen is an exceptional adventure, an Algerian legend that easily takes us with it and makes us feel a panel of emotions that fascinate. A historical drama with magnificent paintings, magnificent performances, a film that marks and moves. In theaters April 19
