King Richard
‘I’m in the champion raising business’
Thanks to our friends at MEFA, GIFTED was invited to an exclusive screening of King Richard at Warner Bros, London. It was a unique opportunity to experience the sensational story of Richard Williams, tennis coach and father to two of the greatest tennis players of all time - Venus and Serena Williams.
One might presume that ‘King Richard’ is singularly about the strength of Richard Williams, and his focused mission to accomplish his goal of raising two iconic tennis players; however, one would be mistaken. ‘King Richard’ also opens up a window into the life of the early days of the tennis duo, revealing to us what is possible when we persistently believe in the talent and ambition of young women.
Richard Williams is a typical self-starter, unafraid to follow a plan and to figure things out along the way. He believed not singularly in his plan, rather in the greatness of his family and the vision to raise champions.
Growing up in Louisiana, in the 1940s, before moving to Compton, California, Richard Williams experienced the increasing tension of racial discrimination in America. Attacked by the Klu Klux Klan and demeaned by other racist members of high society, he constantly felt disrespected, and vowed to his daughters that, “they gon’ respect y'all!” - so powerfully reiterated throughout the film, and resonant to an audience just a year after the height of the global Black Lives Matter movement.
‘King Richard’ is an inspirational true story. Expect to be affirmed on many lessons for success, and messages of humility, patience and honesty, which are bountifully woven throughout this story.
Will Smith channels a timeless performance of another African-American icon, and actresses Saniyya Sidney (Venus Williams) and Demi Singleton (Serena Williams) accomplish the difficult job of portraying the earlier careers of sporting royalty, while the rest of the strong cast ground the story with authentic, awe-inspiring and inspirational performances.
To elevate the film further, music icon and cultural inspiration Beyoncé delivers the Oscar-hopeful soundtrack: ‘Be Alive’.
