How to Watch Black Is King in South Africa, Beyonce’s Breathtaking New Film

Black Is King, the brand-new movie by 24-time Grammy Award winner Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, is now streaming on DStv Now. The film – which is being heralded as “breathtaking” – will be available on DStv Now until 31 August 2020 for DStv Premium customers. Stream Black is King here.

The film is based on the music of The Lion King: The Gift, and will be released two weeks after the one-year anniversary of the theatrical release of The Lion King, Disney’s photorealistic animated remake of the classic musical movie. Once you’ve watched Black is King, watch The Lion King on DStv Now.

Starring featured artists from the film’s music soundtrack as well as guest appearances, Black Is King tells the story of a young king’s journey through betrayal, love, and self-identity. Guided by his ancestors, father and childhood love, he earns the virtues needed to reclaim his home and throne.

It reimagines the lessons of last year’s The Lion King for today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns. The film was in production for a year, with a cast and crew who represent diversity and connectivity.

The film scored 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the Wall Street Journal said, “The settings and costumes are gorgeous, the dancing is virtuosic, and the music is good to great, so it’s easy to get lost in Black Is King.” The UK’s Guardian said “Beyoncé’s Black is King is a breathtaking celebration of Black empowerment”. Buzzfeed added it shows “Beyoncé besting herself – again”.

The people of Black Is King

Black is King features an impressive list of diverse voices on its creative team, including directors Emmanuel Adjei (the film Shahmaran), Blitz Bazawule (the film The Burial of Kojo), Pierre Debusschere (Mine and Ghost videos for Beyoncé), Jenn Nkiru (Black to Techno), Ibra Ake (creative director and producer on This is America video for Childish Gambino), Dikayl Rimmasch (Cachao, Uno Mas), Jake Nava (Crazy in Love, Single Ladies, Partition videos for Beyoncé) and co-director and long-time collaborator of Beyoncé Kwasi Fordjour.

The list of additional co-directors and second unit directors adds to the crew’s global representation, including Dafe Oboro, Julian Klincewicz, Derek Milton, Meji Alabi, Joshua Kissi, Alexandre Moors and Deon Van Zyl.

Filmed in various locations, the film’s cinematography captures beautiful people and landscapes across continents, starting in New York, then Los Angeles, South Africa, West Africa, London and Belgium. From all those places came an extraordinary cast of actors and dancers that influenced the film’s rich tableau and vibrant choreography.

Special guests include models Aweng Ade-Chuol and Adut Akech, supermodel Naomi Campbell, Tina Knowles-Lawson, author and Academy Award-winning actor Lupita Nyong’o, singer Kelly Rowland, Pharrell Williams and Jay-Z, among others. Many artists featured on The Lion King: The Gift album also make appearances.

A celebratory memoir for the world on the black experience, Black is King includes full-length videos for the songs “Already,” “Brown Skin Girl,” “Mood 4 Eva” and “My Power,” which is heard in the new trailer.

Among the well-known Mzansi stars featured in Black Is King are veteran South African actor John Kani, Connie Chiume (Gomora), Nandi Madida (The Road), Nyaniso Dzedze (Binnelanders) and Warren Masemola (The River). 

What is DStv Now?

It’s the online version of DStv. If you can’t be at home to watch your favourite shows via your decoder, visit now.dstv.com and watch DStv on your laptop, tablet or phone. There’s no extra cost for DStv subscribers.