‘WITHOUT the King” is a fascinating documentary about a little-known African tyrant, King Mswati III of Swaziland, a country the size of New Jersey with a population of 1.1 million. The king lives in the lap of luxury, with seven royal homes, 12 wives, 22 children, a fleet of luxury cars, a private jet and a large stake in his country’s real estate, media and sugar industries.
Most of the king’s subjects, on the other hand, live in abject poverty (69 percent survive on less than 63 cents a day). Nearly 43 percent of the people have AIDS or are HIV positive, and life expectancy is the lowest in the world, 31 years.
The film’s director, Michael Skolnik, strives to be fair, giving the king and his political opponents time to talk.
By far the film’s most interesting subject is the king’s eldest daughter, 18-year-old Princess Sikhanyiso, who likes to be known as Pashu. She’s a self-styled rapper who goes to a Catholic college in California and acts like the spoiled rich kid that she is.
Back in Swaziland, she visits an AIDS orphanage, and declares herself “heartbroken” by the sight of suffering children.
“It’s high time I do something,” she says. Just what she can and will do remains to be seen, but she offers the best hope there is for a nation in crisis.
In English and siSwati, with subtitles. Running time: 84 minutes. Not rated (disturbing images, tasteful nudity). At the Quad, 13th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues.