Browse films

KING OF KINGS: Chasing Edward Jones

Harriet Marin Jones
France, 2022, 98 min.

In English.
This film is family friendly.

AIFF Award Winner:
Best Foreign Documentary

Gangster for some, philanthropist for others, who was really Edward Jones? In the ’30s and ’40s, this descendant of slaves becomes one of the richest men in the United States thanks to the Policy business, an illegal numbers game, that ultimately became the modern State Lottery. But in these times of segregation, his success and unfailing support to the African American community become a problem. In conflict with both the mob and the Feds, he is forced into a life on the run.

Director's Statement

King of Kings takes an in-depth look at the life and legacy of Edward Jones, the most famous Policy King of all times. As his granddaughter, I’ll expose the lasting repercussions of his untold story, both within my family, and for Chicago’s South Side where he once embodied the American dream. Love, glory, violence, exile, success, revenge, murder, betrayal, prison, kidnapping… Edward Jones’ story holds all the best ingredients of an epic gangster movie. Add segregation and you have a very explosive cocktail! Even though it took me years to do the research and finance the film, as a filmmaker, I could not have asked for a better story.

Category: Documentary, Award Winner.
Themes: Biography, Family, World Cinema.

More in Documentary

  • Andrew After Angola

    Andrew After Angola

    Will LaCalle
    United States, 2023, 40 min.

    Andrew After Angola follows a re-entry program created to help former prisoners rebuild their lives in Louisiana and explores the complex... more ›

  • Crows Are White

    Crows Are White

    Ahsen Nadeem
    Ireland, 2022, 97 min.

    After decades of living a secret life, a filmmaker travels to a strict Japanese monastery in search of guidance but the only monk who will help him prefers ice... more ›

  • Bright Morning Stars: The Johnsons of Hemphill

    Bright Morning Stars: The Johnsons of Hemphill

    Ethan Payne
    United States, 2021, 17 min.

    Mabel and Gwen Johnson are pillars of their post-coal community in Eastern Kentucky. Faced with unspeakable obstacles, they pulled together and started a... more ›