THE GIRL KING, an international production written by award-winning Canadian writer Michel Marc Bouchard (Tom at the Farm, Lilies), THE GIRL KING tells the story of one of the most iconic queens in history, Queen Kristina of Sweden. Crowned Queen in 1632 at the age of six and raised as a prince, Queen Kristina was a brilliant yet enigmatic young leader who fought conservative forces to revolutionize Sweden while falling in love with her lady-in-waiting and exploring her awakening sexuality. Torn between conflicts of political, religious, and personal aspirations, Kristina made one of the most controversial choices in history.
It's a fascinating film with historical significance about Queen Kristina of Sweden - , from international filmmaker Mika Kaurismäki. The film chronicles 'the virgin queen" Kristina of Sweden, an iconic historical figure who was raised as a boy, assumed the throne at the age of eighteen, and attempted to modernize 17th century Sweden and quell religious conflict, all while exploring her nascent sexuality with her lady-in-waiting. She is known as a singularly independent woman in international history, and one of the most educated women of her time. She advocated for her open interest in Catholicism amidst a climate of strict Lutheranism. After abdicating the throne at a young age, she converted to Roman Catholicism and moved to Rome. The Pope described Kristina as 'a queen without a realm, a Christian without faith, and a woman without shame".
While epic in story, Kaurismäki has imbued the film with psychological intensity to tell the story of one of one of the most fascinating female leaders in recorded history. "THE GIRL KING is not intended as a traditional costume piece but as an intense, actor-centered psychological drama about one of the most interesting and mysterious personalities of all time," Kaurismäki explains. "Queen Kristina was a revolutionary free thinker, a connoisseur of art and science, a precursor of the feminist movement and a strong and visionary politician, a new European. But at the same time she was a confused, restless, eccentric and isolated young woman."
Lead actress Malin Buska gives an electric lead performance, and the acclaimed international ensemble cast includes Sarah Gadon (upcoming lead in A Royal Night Out, Belle, Enemy, Cosmopolis, The Amazing Spiderman 2, Dracula Untold), Michael Nyqvist (Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Lucas Bryant (Haven, The Vow), Laura Birn (Purge, Inner Trial) and Martina Gedeck (Night Train to Lisbon, The Nun, The Lives of Others).
It opened in limited theatrical release 12/4, in LA, Bay Area, San Jose, and Minneapolis, and on DVD / VOD 12/8 via Wolfe Video.