The Throne is Korean Film Royalty (Directed by Lee Joon-ik) *****

This moving cinematic masterpiece is a dramatically daunting story of father/son acrimony that pits King Yeonjo against his second son, Prince Sado. Set in the 18^th-century during the Joseon era, this historical work reflects a  true shameful event in Korean history that lasted for some 35 years. King Yeonjo finds his artistic son a sorry disappointment. He is not interested in rules and decorum and dress etiquette, and so this rule-ridden royal leader deprives him of any kind of love, and ends up putting him in a box to starve. He dies on the eight day. The king ensures Sado goes down in history as no traitor – though he did consider taking his father’s life – but as a lunatic. This protects the continuation of the throne in the family and its integrity. This is a family fraught with power-hungry obsessions, mental illness and cruel actions of retribution that even those trying to save the prince endured makes this epic period piece a lingering Korean classic whose themes resonate far beyond Korea. The Throne garnered multiple awards in 2105, including best actresses, music, lighting – you name it – this film nabbed the honours. It was screened at New York’s Asian Film Festival and at Montreal’s Fantasia Festival in 2016.