The King of the Indies documents a little-known tradition with the intensity and respect it deserves, showing how some of the best stories are also the most niche.
Director: Gaetano Maria Mastrocinque
Genre: Documentary
Run Time: 75′
Release Date: June 9, 2023
Where to watch: globally on Prime Video and Google Play
Tradition is one of the most unique aspects of human culture. Each community, town, and geographic area has their own tradition, many of them unknown to the world at large. Learning about the more obscure traditions of the world can inspire a sense of wonder and a desire to travel to see these events and customs in person. This is the general idea behind the documentary The King of the Indies (Il Re delle Indie).
A medieval custom reinvented for the modern day is the perfect esoteric custom and a great introduction to a small corner of the world one may have glanced over otherwise. In this age where many cultures are blending together due to the Internet and globalism, it is nice to see some parts of the world stick to their older traditions today.
The main subject of The King of the Indies is the Saracen Joust, an annual festival occurring twice a year in Arezzo, Italy. In an event inspired by a similar joust from the Middle Ages, each quarter of the city sends two jousters to hit the center of a target held by a rotating dummy (the titular “King of the Indies”). The winner receives a coveted Golden Lance and glory to their area of town. Participants show up in full costumes with the whole city getting in on the performance. Crowds come from all over Italy to see the spectacle, and the jousters are treated as legitimate sports heroes in the town. The documentary covers the evening joust held in June 2019, the first of two contests for that year.
What seems like an elaborate live-action role play is treated as serious business. Every detail from the horse care to the training is discussed. Despite the pageantry and aesthetics, this is still a sport like any other, and requires a disciplined athlete to perform. Unlike professional wrestling, where the outcome is scripted and predetermined, this joust is real and involves hitting a real target with real risk of injury. The result of the tournament is half chance, half skill. Everyone must be in top form because the joust can be won or lost on the slightest tilt of the lance. The final quarter of the film is coverage of the event, displaying the joust as though it were the Super Bowl, complete with commentary and slow-motion replay. As the rules are easy to follow and the competitors already interviewed by this point, it is a compelling watch and feels like a strong payoff to the setup given in the preceding scenes of the documentary.
The King of the Indies centers around two knights with diametrically opposed life stories. Enrico Vedovini of Porta Sant’Andrea is a veteran, seasoned competitor looking to make one last stand in this tournament. His skill is the envy of the tournament and his years of experience put him above the rest. Meanwhile, Gabriele Innocenti of Porta del Foro is a newcomer, trying to obtain glory for his quarter, who are seen as the underdogs of the tournament. Both have strict training regimens and clear motives for winning, which makes their rivalry all the more impressive. Other knights and coaches are interviewed to get a feel for the game, and make the setting come alive.
The King of the Indies is a strange story about a strange event, but the way it is captured in this documentary is spellbinding. Dedication to the spectacle and drama reminiscent of Hoop Dreams make for an arresting watch no matter where you are watching from. History comes alive onscreen to educate as well as inform. While a bit sensationalized and played for drama, The King of the Indies is a reminder of how fun tradition can be.
The King of the Indies (Il Re delle Indie) is now available to watch globally on Prime Video and Google Play.
