What is Focus Features Victoria & Abdul?
Victoria & Abdul is a 2017 British-American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Frears and produced by Focus Features. It tells the story of the unlikely friendship between Queen Victoria, played by Judi Dench, and her Indian servant Abdul Karim, played by Ali Fazal.
The film takes place in the late 1800s during the later years of Victoria's reign, when she was at the height of her power but beginning to feel increasingly isolated and lonely at the palace. Abdul is a clerk from Agra who is selected to present a commemorative coin to the Queen during her Golden Jubilee celebration. The Queen quickly takes a liking to Abdul's kind nature and spiritual wisdom, among other things.
As their friendship grows, Victoria becomes more and more interested in Abdul's culture and begins to rely on him as a confidante and advisor. However, their relationship is met with resistance from the palace staff and Victoria's son and eventual successor, Bertie.
The film beautifully portrays the complexities of friendship, cultural differences, and societal norms. It highlights the plight of those who were colonized by the British Empire and the extreme power imbalance that existed between them and their colonial masters. The performances of Dench and Fazal are compelling and touching, making it a must-watch film for audiences who appreciate historical dramas that push boundaries.
Overall, Victoria & Abdul is a touching and inspiring film that celebrates the power of friendship and the importance of maintaining an open mind to new cultures and worldviews. It is a testament to the power of film to tell important stories that resonate with audiences, while also highlighting the important work done by Focus Features in bringing compelling and relevant stories to the big screen.
Frequently Asked Questions about focus features victoria & abdul
The film is based on the book of the same name by Shrabani Basu, about the real-life relationship between Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and her Indian Muslim servant Abdul Karim. It stars Judi Dench, Ali Fazal, Michael Gambon, Eddie Izzard, Tim Pigott-Smith (in his final film role), and Adeel Akhtar.
Expect occasional strong language ("s--t," "bloody," "arsehole") and a couple of disturbing scenes: one in which royal security officers harass a Muslim family and burn their belongings, and another in which a man coughs up blood. A dead body is shown, and a few racist remarks are said in reference to Abdul.
Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim, 1897. The close relationship between Queen Victoria and her young Indian attendant Abdul Karim was deemed controversial and scandalous by the royal court. After the Queen passed away, the family evicted Karim from the home the queen had given him and deported him back to India.
Victoria & Abdul
A cheerfully naive clerk from India visits England to bestow a gift on Queen Victoria, then strikes up an unlikely friendship with the lonely monarch. Watch all you want. Judi Dench previously portrayed Queen Victoria in the 1997 film "Mrs.
'Victoria & Abdul' Explores Colonialism And Islamophobia During Queen's Reign.
“The thing is, it's not fiction - it's fact. Whatever is being shown on screen actually happened - it's not some cooked-up 'jewel in the crown' Raj nostalgia story. This happened. Queen Victoria learned Urdu, she wanted her mango and she stood by Abdul Karim.
“Thirteen” is a cautionary tale, one that ultimately shows the perils of going “bad,” but the film is rated R for a reason. “Thirteen” contains profanity, shoplifting, drug and alcohol use, sexual situations, masochistic scenes of a young girl cutting herself and some nudity.
This was an extremly epic movie to see in theaters when I saw it, but let me first say this: It is extremly violent and intense for a PG-13 film. The violence in here is explicit sometimes to the point where there will be some blood in the deaths.
The platonic relationship between Abdul Karim and the 19th-century monarch was one of tremendous devotion: He taught her Urdu, spent time with her at her summer house in Scotland and the two shared intimate letters. Their closeness sparked racism and jealousy among the court and other members of the Queen's family.
Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen's Closest Confidant is a book about Queen Victoria and her Munshi Abdul Karim, researched and written by Shrabani Basu, published by The History Press in 2010, and adapted to produce the feature film Victoria & Abdul in 2017.
Rani, a 24-year-old homely girl, decides to go on her honeymoon alone when her fiancé calls off the wedding. Traveling around Europe, she finds joy, makes friends, and gains new-found independence.Queen / Film synopsis
From a feminist point of view the movie works very well in portraying the character of a woman. Rani is strong but still has an innocent charm to her, she's oblivious but still has the courage to stand against what is wrong.
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Queen Victoria/Daughters
In 2006, Basu committed herself to researching Karim's story. The resulting book, Victoria and Abdul: The True Story of the Queen's Closest Confidant, would take her four years to research and write, and would later be adapted into a movie.
No one younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema.
In a nutshell: 15 is the age most parents said they'd let their child watch a 15-rated movie (we polled 1,427 people). Once your kids get a bit older, they often like to push the boundaries a bit - seeing if they can do things their older friends or siblings, do, for example.