A United Kingdom tells true love story that rocked the world
It was a complicated romance that became international news. In post-war 1940s England, a young man met a young woman at a dance, and they fell in love.
But Prince Seretse Khama of Botswana was royalty — soon to be king of a southern African people living under British colonial rule. The woman he fell for was Ruth Williams, an ordinary citizen who was both British and white.
The true story of their controversial interracial marriage forms the backbone of the new film A United Kingdom, starring David Oyelowo (Selma) and Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl).
In the lead up to the film's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Oyelowo and director Amma Asante join guest host Candy Palmater to discuss the film's take on the true story, the subversive framing of the film, and the disruptive power of love.
"Even people who hated the idea of this interracial marriage had to admit that they were in love," says Assante, describing the real couple that inspired the film. Both she and Oyelowo, who are themselves in interracial relationships, say the story still resonates.
"It ticks so many boxes for me, as a man, as an African ... as a romantic," says Oyelowo. "I think it's the best of us, love. These two people shared it outside of their race."
WEB EXTRA | Watch the official trailer for A United Kingdom, an official selection of TIFF 2016, below.