Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Arezzo is an old, historic town nestled amid the farmlands of Italy’s Tuscany, whose streets are lined with Renaissance-era buildings that will make a visitor feel like they’ve been pulled back in time. Twice a year, the town hosts the Saracen Joust, a historical knightly tournament where the teams of Arezzo’s four neighborhoods compete to win the Lancia d’Oro, and of course—glory.
Directed by Gaetano Maria Mastrocinque, the Italian documentary film “The King of the Indies” (original title: Il Re delle Indie) gives viewers a fascinating glimpse of the jousting tournament and the people who make it possible. The film opens in the thick of things; the tournament is already underway, and frenzied fans pack Arezzo’s Piazza Grande, awaiting their neighbourhood’s knight to take his aim. If it weren’t for the medieval costumes, one might think they were watching the audience of a crucial football match. But before we can know the score, file footage of past tournaments rolls in.
“In Italy, there’s no other event with greater impact. It’s called the ‘big hit,’ because, if you aren’t trained, you can get hurt,” explains Martino Gianni to the camera. He has been the King of the Square several times and is a bit of a legend in Arezzo. The interview sets an exciting pace for the documentary, which is packed with jubilant, colourful scenes of the joust.
Over 1 hour 15 minutes long, “The King of the Indies” deftly explains everything viewers need to know about Arezzo’s bi-annual event, which started off as a military training exercise in the medieval ages. Director Gaetano Maria Mastrocinque chooses to focus on a neighborhood that hasn’t won the tournament in 12 years and what it means to train for the rigorous event. So, the first half unfolds leisurely, interwoven with interviews of jousters who reveal how seriously the town takes the event.
The cinematography and screenplay are a visual treat, capturing not just the Saracen Jousting event in all its grand, baroque glory, but also all the work that goes into it before the day of the joust. The second half of “The King of the Indies” shows the live event in progress, building tension over who will win. To heighten the excitement, the screen is often split into two windows, juxtaposing the tense knights against the reactions of the audience or the organizers. This helps establish the electrifying tension and excitement that grips the square of Arezzo as the crowds await the announcement of the new King of the Square. The climactic minutes of the film hit an emotional crescendo, the cameras capturing the pure joy, and tears of the winner, along with the celebratory atmosphere that rings through the screen.
From exploring the relationship between a jouster and his horse to plunging the viewers into the pulsating energy of the live event, “The King of the Indies” will make international viewers want to pack their bags, plan their next trip to Italy, and witness the spectacular knighting tournament firsthand. If you’re both a history and sports enthusiasts, this makers for great viewing. If not, it might feel slightly dry and slow, but that still doesn’t take away from its visual splendour.
“Il Re delle Indie” is available to buy/rent on Prime Video.