This past Wednesday, Nov. 6, we were given the luxury of attending an advanced screening of the feature film Queen & Slim at the Florida State University Askew Student Life Center. The theatre was filled with Black and Brown faces, which was not only comforting but also empowering. We quickly realized that the movie-watching experience would be an exemplary one and that we would likely share similar sentiments following the film that could spark much-needed discussion.
The story of Queen & Slim—conceptualized and written by esteemed screenwriter Lena Waithe and directed by the tenacious, provocative and ingenious Melina Matsoukas—is exponentially greater than the Bonnie and Clyde-inspired romantic drama that many are attempting to categorize it as. In fact, the characters and the storyline are not inspired by the notorious couple at all. According to Waithe, the two lovers and their tales were born out of the lived experiences of Black people within America. In an article for the New York Times, the film’s director Melina Matsoukas stated that footage of Sandra Bland’s arrest in 2015 was the primary point of inspiration for characterizing the story’s female protagonist, Queen. This tale opens with the two polar opposites, Queen and Slim, meeting up late one evening at a quaint Ohio diner for a first date. Things swiftly take a turn for the worst when a malevolent police officer stops the pair for a very minor traffic ‘violation.’ The seemingly small situation quickly escalates beyond control, and the unlikely couple is forced to flee the scene. It is there that their tumultuous journey unfolds.
The film showcases the many complex issues facing the Black community within the United States. The complexities highlighted include the problems of representation, vulnerability, religion within the Black community, and the legacy of trauma, becoming a cornerstone of the African American experience. The incident of police brutality encountered by the protagonists, Queen and Slim, played by accredited actor Daniel Kaluuya of Get Out fame and newcomer Jodie Turner-Smith, within the first 10 minutes of the film and their subsequent desertion quickly propel the two into becoming a much-needed symbol of trauma, hysteria and agony felt by Black people across the country—within the film and without.
At the start of the film, we were met with instant anxiety, a feeling that carried throughout the course of the film as we were unsure of exactly how the circumstance would end. However, the light-natured comedic relief provided to audiences by way of characters such as Uncle Earl and banter between the star-crossed couple made the audience feel much more at ease, even despite the action riddled manhunt that was unfolding. We would be remiss if we did not inform you that the story of Queen & Slim is not for the faint of heart, but we can assure you that this tear-jerker is a definite must-see. It is an astonishing example of the experience of being Black in America and perpetuates the idea that though life and circumstances happen to you, the best way to cope is to continue living and enjoying the pockets of happiness that you are afforded.
Be sure to watch this amazing film when it makes its official debut on Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 27, and until then, check out the trailer here.
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