14/10/2015 - Tale of forbidden love shoots in Botswana and the UK

British filmmaker Amma Asante (Belle [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) has commenced a seven-week shoot at Botswana and UK locations on A United Kingdom [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: David Oyelowo
film profile]. Written by Guy Hibbert (Five Minutes of Heaven [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), the film will tell the story of Seretse Khama, a royal of Bechuanaland, a former English colony that would eventually become Botswana, with Khama becoming country’s first president. Prior to that he caused outrage when he married a white woman, leading to protests from neighbouring South Africa where interracial marriage was illegal, a deposition attempt and a ban from his own country. 

The cast includes David Oyelowo (Selma), who is also one of the producers, Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl), Jack Davenport (Kingsman: The Secret Service [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) and Tom Felton (Against the Sun). 

“Amma and Rosamund are two of the most exciting talents working in film today. I’ve worked with both of them before and so my excitement about them joining A United Kingdom stems from a knowledge of just how inspiring they are to work with and how much daring and beauty they will bring to this epic love story,” Oyelowo had said when the project was announced in May. 

A United Kingdom is a Pathé, BBC Films, BFI, Ingenious presentation with the participation of Canal+ and Cine+ of a Yoruba Saxon, Harbinger Pictures, Perfect Weekend and Film United Production. Pathé is handling international sales and will distribute in the UK and France.