‘Queen & Slim’ Beats Expectations Opening Weekend
From first-time filmmakers Lena Waithe and Melina Matsoukas, “Queen and Slim” is being praised nationwide for its “protest art” on police brutality and what it means to be black in America today. Keep reading to learn more about this romantic and reflective new drama.
Oscar nominee Daniel Kaluuya and newcomer Jodie Turner-Smith star in this Universal Studios’ drama about two people who, during an awkward first date in Ohio, wind up on the run after they kill a cop in an act of self-defense. Over its five-day theater debut, the film well outperformed expectations to land in the top five at the box office Thanksgiving weekend.
The screenplay was co-written by Lena Waithe and directed by Melina Matsoukas, the woman behind Beyoncé’s “Formation” music video. Both are black women and for both, this was their first feature-length project.
While discussing what this film means to them, Matsoukas called it “protest art.” “We wanted to create a film that was for us and by us,” Matsoukas shared. “We wanted it to be a celebration of blackness and to honor our people, to honor our ancestors and those who have lost their lives to police brutality. …We really wanted this to be a meditation on the black experience.”
“’Queen & Slim’ can be one of the great love stories of all time. Which means it should be for everyone to see.” The New York Times Magazine
The movie has garnered much critical acclaim – currently holding an 82 percent Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score. And while the film has strong elements of romance, its potential for sparking discussion and aiding the cultural conversation has earned the film great respect. CNN.com wrote in its review, “’Queen & Slim is one of those increasingly rare movies that should leave audiences discussing it after they exit the theater. Yet if the film derives power from its broader context, there's strength in the journey as well as the destination.” The Associated Press also explored the film’s impact, writing: "[It’s] is a powerful look at places and issues not often explored in movies, and it's unusual for being a big studio film starring two people of color created by people of color.”
The film has been described as a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde – with comparisons even made of the characters to the outlaws in the film itself. However, the filmmakers are quick to say their film is nothing like the real-life outlaws. “I think there’s a huge difference in who Queen and Slim are,” explained Matsoukas. “They’re not criminals on the run, they’re two very human people who have a shared experience that was not their choice. I think that’s a very critical difference between them.”
“Queen & Slim” is in theaters now and available from Swank soon.