My Son, My King: Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

My Son, My King is a seven-minute coming-of-age drama set in Melbourne’s west. It follows Negus, an Ethiopian-Australian boy confronting adolescence, social stereotypes and community expectations as he searches for identity, belonging and a clearer sense of manhood.

My Son, My King is a short coming-of-age drama centered on Negus, a young Ethiopian-Australian boy growing up in Melbourne’s west. At just seven minutes, the film focuses its story on a formative moment rather than an extended portrait of adolescence.

Written and directed by Rakeb Mulatu, the film places questions of identity, belonging, family and masculinity within the experience of the Ethiopian diaspora and African Australian youth. Its premise turns on one reckless decision that brings the pressures around Negus into sharper focus.

My Son, My King movie details

Story without spoilers

Negus is navigating the difficult transition into adolescence while balancing the expectations of his community against stereotypes imposed by wider society. As he tries to understand who he is and what becoming a man might mean, a reckless choice forces him to face the influences shaping his future.

The story is set in Melbourne’s west and is rooted in the Ethiopian diaspora. Rather than presenting adolescence as a universal experience detached from place, the film frames Negus’s search for belonging through a specific cultural and social perspective.

What to expect

Viewers can expect a compact drama built around coming-of-age concerns, including identity, family, masculinity, resilience and social pressure. The short runtime suggests a focused narrative, while the setting and Ethiopian-Australian perspective give the story a distinct cultural context.

The supplied premise emphasizes personal and community pressures rather than action or spectacle. The film is also associated with Amharic, Chichewa; Nyanja and English, reflecting the languages listed for its release.

Cast and creative team

Hebron Tekle plays Negus, with Levi Tekle portraying Young Negus. The cast also includes Chilipo Michael Bandazi as Shopkeeper, Isaac Taye as Dani, Josiah Mulat as Nati, and Mulatu Assefa as Abaye. Meserach Aliso plays Ema, while Joel Beyene, TG Gaboilwe and Miles Tanaka Makanza appear as Older Boy 1, Older Boy 2 and Older Boy 3.

Rakeb Mulatu is credited as both director and writer, making the film a focused directorial and writing project built around Negus’s experience.

• Hebron Tekle as Negus
• Chilipo Michael Bandazi as Shopkeeper
• Isaac Taye as Dani
• Josiah Mulat as Nati
• Levi Tekle as Young Negus
• Mulatu Assefa as Abaye
• Meserach Aliso as Ema
• Joel Beyene as Older Boy 1
• TG Gaboilwe as Older Boy 2
• Miles Tanaka Makanza as Older Boy 3

Release and production context

My Son, My King is listed as released and has a runtime of seven minutes. Its setting is Melbourne’s west, and its listed spoken languages are Amharic, Chichewa; Nyanja and English. No release date, country or production company is provided in the supplied information.

Movies Dock view

With its brief runtime and specific cultural setting, My Son, My King presents a concentrated coming-of-age story about a young person negotiating identity, community expectations and social assumptions. The film’s premise places those questions within an Ethiopian-Australian experience that is not often foregrounded in Australian cinema.

Film data:
TMDB