Written and directed by Gaetano Maria Mastrocinque, sometimes, a single bullseye makes all the difference, especially for the neighbourhood that hasn’t won in 12 years.
There are places all around the world with unique traditions, those that look odd to outsiders but are intensely celebrated by the local community. The King of the Indies gives us a fantastic example, following a yearly jousting tournament in the noble city of Arezzo, which lies in the heart of Tuscany. What’s great about it is that while it is such a niche topic, contained within this lively, committed city, it’s a story that’s interesting for everyone. Their experiences span across multiple generations and there’s a huge passion that builds throughout their lives. As well as a deep love of horses, it’s wholesome to see the time and care that goes into looking after them.
In itself, there’s already plenty of personality and engaging stories but Gaetano Maria Mastrocinque’s direction amplifies those qualities. There’s something to it that’s almost akin to films like Ocean’s Eleven, the mix of direction, editing and score give that energetic feel and capture the air of chasing success and pride. It has a personal touch but also keeps an objective view, embracing the competitive atmosphere while taking a look behind the curtain, at what a win means to their community.
Towards the end, Mastrocinque takes a step back and just lets the competition take hold, which was a great choice, it’s a lot of fun to watch. The atmosphere is reminiscent of English football with the angry rivalries, fiercely loyal fans and heavy resentment towards the officials. Italians are notoriously passionate and The King of the Indies captures that with a loving lens, showing how this tight-knit group go all in on their beloved tradition.
To some their tournament will seem like madness and maybe in some small ways, it is, but it’s also a show of commitment, hard work and community. It’s colourful and highly competitive, full of passion and The King of the Indies manages to bottle all of that. The spirit of the story is well-matched by the tone of Gaetano Maria Mastrocinque’s direction, playing it simpler and grounded in the personal moments then leaning into the action in others.
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