Grandpa Was an Emperor

Released Apr 7, 2023

1 hr. 32 min.

Documentary

List

100%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

92%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

GRANDPA WAS AN EMPEROR follows Yeshi Kassa, great-granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, as she embarks on a personal quest to discover what happened to her closest relatives during the coup of 1974. While Yeshi and her older sister were thousands of miles away in a British boarding school, her great-grandfather was deposed by a revolution, setting off a harrowing chain of events that would put her parents and siblings in grave danger. For the very first time, the royal family examines the events that led to the collapse of a 3,000-year-old dynasty and reflects on how, against all odds, they were able to survive this turbulent time in Ethiopian history.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered May 30

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Grandpa Was an Emperor on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Philip L

A remarkable first-person look at an important piece of Ethiopian history. There is a remarkable emotion that goes into a search that many would think is best left uncovered by the seeker. In a voyage to get closure, one wonders if the depth of suffering is worth the journey. But, as a viewer, it is memorable.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/06/23

Full Review

Ahadu T

Amazing documentary on the explanation of the imprisonment and dismay Ethiopia and the royal family went through during the civil war of the 70s. From the joy and tears it brings, I recommend it 100%!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/23

Full Review

freddYO

documentary well-made from the right-wing / monarch POV. its basically remnants of the upper class of society asking why the peasants revolted and killed their family. informative but actually felt like right-wing propaganda. relatives of Marie Antoinette asking why she had to be guillotined.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/14/23

Full Review

Wayna W

Brilliant, our entire household was transfixed. Oscar-worthy!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/30/23

Full Review

Noah S

Fantastic documentary! Many shocking stories and plot lines about what happened to the royal family. Learn how Ethiopia was sabotaged by dictatorship, and how a family was saved by the largesse and bravery of global citizens, missionaries, and a world renowned music artist.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/04/23

Full Review

emily m

This film was amazing. It's beautifully shot and the subject matter is handled very sensitively. They tell an amazing story - I thought I knew about it, but realised how much I still had to learn about what happened after the Revolution in Ethiopia. A fascinating insight into the brutality they suffered, but also the strength of character of those amazing women - surviving so many years of utter hardship in jail. Definitely one to watch - a really interesting and inspiring film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/23/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Constance Marks

Director

Yeshi Kassa

Self

Constance Marks

Producer

Corinne LaPook

Producer

Cynthia Erivo

Executive Producer

Solome Williams

Executive Producer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

100%

%

Little Palestine: Diary of a Siege

96%

82%

The Dissident

TRAILER

for The Dissident

100%

83%

Bobi Wine: The People's President

TRAILER

for Bobi Wine: The People's President

100%

%

The Jump

60%

29%

Pharma Bro

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Kyle Bain

Film Threat

The feature is informative, innovative, and encouraging, as the production checks all the necessary boxes to make a successful documentary.

Rated: 8.5/10

Dec 7, 2021

Full Review

Avi Offer

NYC Movie Guru

A captivating, gripping and poignant documentary.

Rated: 9.04282/10

Dec 1, 2021

Full Review

Ron Wilkinson

It's Just Movies

An intimate look at the final days of an Ethiopian Camelot gone terribly wrong.

Rated: 7/10

Nov 20, 2021

Full Review

Stephen Saito

Moveable Fest

Grandpa Was an Emperor is undeniably compelling as it explores a birthright backfiring.

Nov 19, 2021

Full Review

Grady Bolding

Cultured Vultures

Grandpa Was An Emperor is a wonderful documentary...

Rated: 8/10

Nov 18, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

GRANDPA WAS AN EMPEROR follows Yeshi Kassa, great-granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, as she embarks on a personal quest to discover what happened to her closest relatives during the coup of 1974. While Yeshi and her older sister were thousands of miles away in a British boarding school, her great-grandfather was deposed by a revolution, setting off a harrowing chain of events that would put her parents and siblings in grave danger. For the very first time, the royal family examines the events that led to the collapse of a 3,000-year-old dynasty and reflects on how, against all odds, they were able to survive this turbulent time in Ethiopian history.

Director: Constance Marks
Executive Producer: Cynthia Erivo, Solome Williams
Distributor: Freestyle Digital Media
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 7, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 30, 2023

Most Popular at Home Now