King Baby

Can you build a kingdom solely around a King, a Servant and a mannequin Queen made of wood? Two men who have stumbled upon the stately ruins of a castle somewhere in Europe, attempt this impossible fantasy in King Baby. But the untroubled balance of sovereign and submissive becomes complicated by the inscrutable Queen’s blank reactions leading to dissatisfaction and frustration from both men.

This 'fairytale' (as it announces itself) begins as a jolly camp romp. The manners and rituals of this 'court' are sketched with withering satire as the film gets progressively darker in tone. To sleep in the King’s bed brings disturbing visions of 'dream demons' that fan violent and perverse impulses in the men. Offering a critique of patriarchal rule, King Baby digs into elements of masculinity, sexual identity and misogyny. You may even find yourself feeling sorry for the mannequin! 

Using minimal elements, International theatre writer-director Kit Redstone makes his film debut alongside Forgotten Man (2017) filmmaker Arran Shearing, bringing much inventiveness to the staging of comedy and brutality alike. Actors Graham Dickson and Neil Chinneck make the most of every shrug, gesture, eye-roll and grimace.

– Adrian Martin