This is a “Lord of the Rings” type drama seemingly based on a Masai legend. All the actors are Masai (or at least look like it) and it’s shot on location in Kenya. This earns the film great respect and authenticity. In fact, it almost feels like documentary film makers are following the ragtag group of teen warriors as they search out the king of all lions – the one that killed the tribe’s fiercest fighter.

It’s a story of courage, brotherhood, and belief. I’m certainly not an expert, but I spent a year in Kenya and to the best of my knowledge Masai traditionally send out a group of teens to take down a lion – it’s their rite of passage. This story is the king of all the stories those young Masai teens have earned the right to tell.

The production introduces many likeable characters. In fact, I think the only bad guy is the mysterious, possibly imaginary lion that legend says is holding back the rains and starving the tribe with drought and hunger. But with so many individuals to interact, there is little room for serious character development. It’s the only thing missing. Otherwise, I quite enjoyed this Masai adventure tale. It’s in spoken Masai, subtitled in English.

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