PROVOKR PICK: QUEEN & SLIM
Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith Fight the Power
Bonnie and Clyde move over and make way for Queen & Slim. In Melina Matsoukas’ feature-film debut, Queen (Jodie Turner-Smith) and Slim (Daniel Kaluuya) are a young African-American couple whose first date takes a dark turn when a police officer pulls them over for a minor traffic violation. The officer escalates the interaction and becomes violent. In self-defense, Slim grabs the officer’s gun and kills him. Now, labelled cop-killers, the young lovers go on the run, seeking refuge where they can. However, when video of the run-in with the aggressive officer is released, public opinion turns. The couple become symbols of the struggle between the oppressed and their oppressors.
Lena Waithe’s script is fictional, based on a collaboration with James Frey. However, it is inspired by real-world police violence that African-Americans may face. And, although it’s hailed as a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, the stories differ significantly. While Bonnie and Clyde were violent bank robbers, Queen and Slim had no agenda. They are an average couple who are unfortunate victims of a flawed system. Hopefully, they do not meet the same end as Bonnie and Clyde did.
Queen & Slim had its world premiere on November 14 at the AFI Film Fest. Universal quickly snatched up distribution rights. The film currently holds a 100% certified fresh rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.
Queen & Slim opens in theaters November 27, 2019.
