Night of the Kings

Night of the Kings

Year: 2021

Runtime: 93 min

Language: French

Director: Philippe Lacôte

DramaFantasy

Within the isolated "La Maca" prison, deep within the Ivorian forest, a young man is unexpectedly forced to become the "Roman," responsible for entertaining the inmates with a compelling story. Under the light of a crimson moon, he recounts the legendary adventures of Zama King, a notorious outlaw. As he narrates the tale, he must maintain the prisoners’ attention until dawn, navigating the prison’s dangerous power struggles and adhering to its age-old customs, all while facing an uncertain future.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Night of the Kings (2021)

Trace every key event in Night of the Kings (2021) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Establishment of Prison Commandments

Inmates at MACA Prison create their own unique set of rules that govern their lives. Among these, a crucial mandate states that a Dangôro must end his own life if he becomes too ill to lead.

MACA Prison
2

Blackbeard's Ailment

Blackbeard, the reigning Dangôro, faces increasing pressure from his ambitious subordinate Lass as his health declines. This puts Blackbeard at a moral quandary regarding his potential fate.

MACA Prison
3

Appointment of a New Roman

To buy himself time, Blackbeard promises the inmates that he will appoint a new Roman to entertain them with stories. This raises hopes among the prisoners ahead of the anticipated red moon.

MACA Prison
4

Arrival of a New Inmate

A new inmate, a thief linked to the notorious 'Microbe' gang, enters MACA and is placed in Blackbeard’s cell block. After an impactful discussion, Blackbeard chooses him as the new Roman.

MACA Prison
5

The Rise of the Red Moon

As the red moon rises, prisoners gather around Roman, eager to hear his story. Roman, initially hesitant, starts to narrate the tale of Zama King amidst the palpable excitement.

MACA Prison
6

Warning and Perilous Journey

During a meal break, Roman receives a dire warning: he must keep the story going until dawn or suffer severe consequences. This sets him on a dangerous course of storytelling.

MACA Prison
7

Zama's Early Life

Roman recounts a captivating tale about Zama's childhood, detailing the hardships he faced after his mother’s death, and his relationship with Soni, his blind father who becomes a cunning advisor.

MACA Prison
8

Murder of Koby

Tragedy strikes when Koby, a trusted advisor to Blackbeard, is murdered in the prison. This horrific event plunges the inmates into a state of deep mourning and heightens tensions amongst the factions.

MACA Prison
9

Blackbeard's Despair

In a private dialogue with Half-Mad, Blackbeard is pressured to name a successor. However, his determination to leave a legacy through violence leads him into despair, culminating in his suicide.

MACA Prison
10

Soni's Settlement

Continuing his tale, Roman describes Soni's escape from a failed battle and their subsequent life in the slums of Abidjan. This narrative reveals how Zama rises to power against a backdrop of struggle.

Abidjan
11

Twist in the Tale

As dawn approaches, Roman skillfully introduces a twist in Zama's narrative, revealing he was a foundling. This clever maneuver seeks to delay his own impending fate.

MACA Prison
12

Chaos Erupts

Amidst Roman's storytelling, a violent conflict breaks out between factions led by Lass and Half-Mad. This chaotic struggle highlights the desperate fight for power within the prison's walls.

MACA Prison
13

Nivaquine's Gunfire

In a bid to quell the uprising, the prison warden Nivaquine opens fire on the inmates. The tragedy results in numerous deaths, including that of Half-Mad, escalating the chaos even further.

MACA Prison
14

Roman's Silent Observation

With the first light of day breaking, Roman finds himself a silent observer amid the aftermath of violence and strife. The intricate power dynamics and personal sacrifices become painfully clear as he reflects on his fate.

MACA Prison

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 16:28

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Night of the Kings Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Night of the Kings, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Night of the Kings Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Night of the Kings

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Night of the Kings

More About Night of the Kings

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