TL;DR – A fascinating look into an equally fascinating sport that brings a city together while pitting it against itself.

Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene.

Disclosure – I was sent a screener of this film.

The King of the Indies Review –

Today, I felt like I needed a change, which is when an email appeared in my inbox. Maybe it is that the Olympics are on at the time of writing, maybe it’s because I have not watched a good documentary in a while, and perhaps the idea of learning about an obscure yet fascinating sport was what I needed to do today. Whatever the reason, I am glad that I sat down and explored the world of jousting in Italy.

So, to set the scene, we fly to Italy, take a drive to Tuscany, and end up in the ancient city of Arezzo. It is here where a medieval tradition still lasts well into the modern age. Each year, four-quarters of the town are pitted together in competition. The goal is to get a centre hit on the ‘King of the Indies’. It is an event that both unites and divides the city. It is filled with spectacle, pressure, and danger. All of it to win the Golden Lance. But what happens when your quarter has not won for 12 years is what we explore today.   

The Saracen Joust (Giostra del Saracino) is fascinating to watch. Do not commit, and you could be bounced into a wall. Go too slow, and you could get hit by a mace. If you lose concentration for a second, you will get caught up in the wave of opposition supporters. But if you can hit your target just right, you could be a champion. It is this intersection between pop and circumstance with immense precision that makes it electric to watch. Where riders get names like The Sniper and get the whole district behind them.   

The structure of the documentary revolves around the build-up to the 2019 contest. Gabriele Innocenti is leading the Porta Crucifera team, which has not won in years. Now, I am not sure how objective the documentary is, nor could it be in these situations. However, look, I am Australian, and I am hard-wired to support the underdog. So, watching the different teams prepare as they get closer to the big day was fascinating to watch. While the contest is clearly the focus, there is also a love here for everyone involved in the sport.  

Of course, the highlight of the film is when we get to the event, where eight riders only get one turn to score. There is the clip of horseshoes, pounding drums, blaring trumpets, and swirling flags. You can’t help but sit on the edge of your chair, watching the barely contained chaos, looking to explode at the slightest provocation. The use of just drums in the musical score at this point was a strong choice because it amplifies all the action. It would have been a bit better if there had been some critical reflection on the sport and some of its aspects, but that does not hold it back.

In the end, do we recommend The King of the Indies? Well, yes? This was a delightful look into a world I had not explored before. Indeed, it was electric to watch, and I would endeavour it is even better in-person. It also means we get a second entry in our Jousting category. If you liked The King of the Indies, we would recommend to you A Knight’s Tale.

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

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Credits – All images were created by the cast, crew, and production companies of The King of the Indies
Directed by – Gaetano Maria Mastrocinque
Written by – Gaetano Maria Mastrocinque
Music by – Marco Lazzeri, Andrea Giustini & Marco Sassoli
Cinematography by – Giulia Pasqual & Marco Pirondini
Edited by – Gaetano Maria Mastrocinque
Production/Distribution Companies – Ditta Individuale Gaetano Maria Mastrocinque
Featuring – Gabriele Innocenti, Elia Cicerchia, Enrico Vedovini, Lorenzo Vanneschi, Martino Gianni, Carlo Farsetti, Filippo Vannozzi, Roberto Felici, Saverio Crestini & Fancesco Conti