I Saw a King

The film does not explicitly depict LGBTQ+ identities or relationships that go beyond the assumption that everyone is straight. Instead, it focuses on the colonial encounter and the protagonist's psychological state.

The story revolves around a young male protagonist and female characters such as Sara Serraiocco. While it may challenge traditional masculine roles through psychological dissociation, the main conflict remains driven by male characters.

The film shows progressive intent by highlighting an Ethiopian prince as a key figure. This disrupts Eurocentric WWII narratives and avoids treating non-Western characters as mere background extras.

By framing the story within Italian Fascism and colonialism, the film critiques Western institutional power. It uses escapist fantasy to process colonial trauma and deconstruct heroic colonialist archetypes.

The protagonist's reality-dissociated state suggests a possible engagement with mental health or neurodivergence. However, it is unclear if this portrayal is meaningful or just a simple plot device.