ScreenTimes: Queen & Slim

Melena Ryzik, culture reporter for The New York Times, hosts a prerelease screening of the unflinching new drama “Queen & Slim,” followed by a conversation with the film’s Emmy Award-winning writer-producer Lena Waithe (Netflix’s “Master of None”).
Directed by Grammy Award-winning filmmaker Melina Matsoukas (Beyonce’s “Formation” and HBO’s “Insecure”), “Queen & Slim” features Academy Award-nominated actor Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out,” “Us”) and Jodie Turner-Smith (in her first starring feature-film role) as a black man and woman who, while on a forgettable first date in Ohio, are pulled over for a minor traffic infraction. The situation escalates with sudden and tragic results when the man kills the police officer in self-defense and the two are forced to go on the run.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear Waithe discuss the making of this consciousness-raising love story that also confronts the staggering human toll of racism and the life-shattering price of violence.

[@Liiinda4]

I love how unapologetically herself she is.

[@reginachristinecrayton5542]

I saw the movie tonight alone and now I'm watching every interview and every review...loved this film

[@tammywright9449]

Regina Crayton yes indeed. Saw it last night and was in aww .

[@syckindahead]

What did you like about it the most?

[@bebejones2087]

"I KNEW MY POWER, I KNEW MY WORTH!" Come on Lena Waithe!!! #ChicagoKids

[@Loveamandapatrice]

I can’t imagine ANYONE else playing Slim.

[@TruOmilade]

The true personification of authenticity, creativity and a boss.

[@marrissachapman-choice7372]

No one asks "Why these white people want it?" The way Mrs. Lena just explained her imagery and the how she processed her thoughts into the movie. My God.

[@elcapitanjack911S]

great question Ms Marrissa u posed. ur thought had not even crossed my mind...but I'd like an answer as well!!

[@valeriehodge9418]

I found the movie gritty and authentic yet not brutal to my sensitivities. Lena is a true warrior of the decade and this message was beautifully told -- honestly.

[@reneemenyweather1099]

How blessed is Lenas' wife to have such a beautiful soul of a person to luv her😏

[@reneemenyweather1099]

@Skylar Blue What are u talkin about??. Shes married.

[@trahming76]

@Skylar Blue why does her sexual preference have to be compared to heterosexual relationships she's married there is a such thig as same sex marriage

[@kierram.9137]

Crazy how everything she said was what I immediately felt Watchin the film ! Can’t wait to go back for round 5

[@ms.healthywealthy2182]

The crazy thing is that soon as I saw them smoking the blunt that Biggie verse IMMEDIATELY popped in my head. That's when I knew what was about to go down.

[@TheAmberDTaylor]

Amazingly thoughtful interview that explained a few questions about the film that lingered. Thanks Lena Waithe for sharing our truth! #ThreeTheHardWay 🥰🎥🎟

[@reneemenyweather1099]

I luv the concept of bringing back soudtracks to film

[@ellioshiem7892]

Lena is unique and fabulous and a breath of fresh air. So talented and artistic in every way.

[@sagegamingmike7577]

White lady was not happy about all the facts she was stating 😭😭😭

[@NickieLove621]

SageGaming Mike bitter truth...hard to swallow✊🏾

[@DnewNancy]

I love this interview but the movie did not convey any of the themes she is talking about. I'm afraid the movie might go over many people's heads and will leave them upset, confused, and questioning why all black movies have to focus on trauma and death.

[@charlenewalker7891]

hmmmm... that's a true thought dasianewman...I too thought that and have yet, to go and see the film.

[@joyl3321]

@@charlenewalker7891 Exactly as I am seeing so much push back on the movie & on Waithe. it depends on which interview/review you open up on here. Most enjoyed the film while others point out stuff it would be nice to see her address.

[@BlackADHDcoach]

First time director and writer. Let them blossom. It's amazing to hear the thought and the ambition.

[@burnishedbrass883]

CONFUSION AGENTS ARE SO SUTTLE NOT FOOLING ME

[@champlookid1804]

are you deadass only 5,000 views more people need to watch this movie

[@NickieLove621]

MASTERFUL!!!! Much SUCCESS SIS🎬🎬💙💙💙💙🏁🏁🏁🏁

[@dondi2129]

She didn't want the white gays to touch it... I hear that fam ✊🏿🌈

[@imthedogsbollocksnotyou.7826]

Maybe if she did the film would have been a success and not the financial flop it became .

[@D.GMoton]

The white gaze ... not gays.

[@alyciacooper2]

White “gaze” as in eyes. 👀

[@jaydingeer]

this was such a dope film

[@rhodesiajackson7386]

Let's talk about the ultimate message of this movie🤔

[@Lynn_-qx8cr]

Excellent movie 👍 Thank you!

[@murielsamuels4370]

Jesus Christ. This woman is breathtaking..the authenticity..the vulnerability. Instant fan.

[@alyciacooper2]

This moderator had no idea what was going on. There are no other moderators out here?

[@jlobryan6566]

I love this interview. Thanks Lena for sharing the info!

[@alyciacooper2]

The 21:50 mark is where the moderator wanted to leave... America... forever.

[@graphixdb2009]

She is deep!

[@itsasia_]

After seeing the movie I dont think so.

[@AZ-yy7bn]

Thank u Lena. Yes, we are still searching for freedom.

[@charlenewalker7891]

Lena continued blessings to you and your family. That's some deep stuff there at the 2:52 mark, explanation is magnificent and you must know that this movie here...hurdled the road block and chains trying to suppress the TRUTH IS...as a MATTER OF FACT and my tee says: UNAPOLOGETIC!

[@jeriannajenae1018]

I love everything about her!!!!

[@nakeciafuller290]

Loved this!

[@lexxdyer]

I LOVE THIS !!!!

[@urbansuperhero]

thank you!!!!!

[@princekool9103]

SPOILER ALERT

[@damienp9094]

I WISH I READ THE COMMENTS FIRST, IM PISSED

[@charlenewalker7891]

Thanks Prince, I will come back this interview and just stop at the 3:00 MARK.

[@tyronegomez1265]

The movie made me cry. I didn't like the ending, but I love love the movie.

[@artetface]

WOW!

[@Loveamandapatrice]

Talk yo shit, Lena!!!!!

[@tatianabritten466]

I love her.

[@MadisonPettway_]

I wish Tami Lauren was forced to be the interviewer. She would have been shaking with anger

[@itsasia_]

For me she talks a good game but the movie held so many stereotypes that were unnessecary. There were multiple scenes that did not make sense. Some of the writing could of been way better. Black people are so easily moved. Even I left the movie giving it a 7/10 but after doing more thinking I actually think this movie is apart of the damn agenda disguised as a black power film.

[@Rmcm1984]

What scenes didn’t make sense to you.?? Also what stereotypes were in the movie??

[@tonylittle4533]

Definitely! #comcast

[@itsasia_]

@@Rmcm1984 The scene that was supposed to be comical when the black father was dogging his son's mom. Referring to her as a bitch and talking about having multiple hoes. Is that not poor representation of a black father, was the scene needed? The Uncle was a pimp for what reason? The scene where the black boy shoots a BLACK cop in the face was bizarre and put there for shock value. Not to say shooting a white cop would of been better but really how much more ridiculous and nonsensical could it of been. That scene shouldn't of existed at all. The scene where he allows the white gas station owner to hold his gun was plain stupid. A lot of the writing seemed thoughtless and rushed. I found myself thinking that a lot of statements weren't believable or didn't fit. Even the person beside me kept saying "this is so unrealistic." What I think made people enjoy this movie was seeing two beautiful dark black people who defend themselves against the police. That in itself is very liberating. They are also both very talented and did a good job playing their roles. However, for every liberating scene there was a scene that negated the scene. For every powerful message there was a message that work against the positive message. It seems as though black people are so tired and frustrated by our experiences that it doesn't take much for us to be pleased. Any slight representation makes us happy and that shouldn't be the case.

[@millieb710]

Asia P I would agree on a few points here. I didn’t mind the scene with the young boy and the police only because he just saw him as police and a threat. To me it represented those people who take a good cause and somewhat ruin it for everyone by going too far. However ! I thought the white boy holding the gun in the gas station was weird.

[@AnayaImari]

Asia P Very great comment, I agree with you a lot on the things you’ve said 💯

[@223miller]

Wow

[@damienp9094]

this really should have SPOILERS in the title because wtf

[@jlobryan6566]

Robert Greene don’t watch reviews and interviews if you don’t want spoilers.

[@damienp9094]

J L O'Bryan What kind of stupid response is this? Lol, when platforms esp big ones do interviews / reviews to promo films do you see them giving away exactly what happens in the end? No, And if they do you can bet they simply add SPOILERS to the heading.

[@jlobryan6566]

Robert Greene when I gave my response, I did not insult your intelligence because I believe I have the vocabulary to provide my thoughts without being rude. The internet is not TV or radio as you have discovered by watching this video. If you have been watching KZbin for any period of time you would know that sometimes you get spoilers when watching reviews and interviews. Sometimes you are told up front and other times you are not. When I want reviews without spoilers, I limit my access to places like Rotten Tomatoes or Yahoo Movies where I can get viewer rating and limited comments. Lesson learned. Not everyone caters to your personal desires. The only thing you can control is your own actions.

[@frankhumphrey3562]

#THECULTURE

[@michelle9043]

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@TheBlah404]

The audience is really annoying with the mmmms mhmmm and the interviewer is clearly uncomfortable and she’s pissing me off they should’ve use a different white interviewer because she’s too sensitive. But yes to Lena

[@welcome1971]

Lala W I love my people’s mmmms and mhmmms. Because I can tell by their cadence that it’s coming from Black people.

[@cbridges1202]

What power is in creating yet another wyt savior/s and a black villain. They must’ve scripted this and Harriett tat the same time. Do not support this 🗑

[@jlobryan6566]

claude Last are you mad because a White man helped or because a Black man set them up? The white man was not the only one that helped them. Not all skin folk is kin folk. That saying has been out long before this movie.

[@cbridges1202]

I’m 50 so I’ve heard a lot. What I’m saying is that this core of directors have hit us with two movies that pit black against blacks. While white ppl are neutral. Harriett: how r u gonna have a slave catcher using his money from catching slaves to sleep with wyt women. Same guy beats a black woman down. But the movie is set in slavery era. Next up. The actress lead for this role call . Was and I quote from Lena Waithe” looking for African American actress Dark like slave” WTF. As a black director or producer/writer how you gonna let that shit pass? Then you have a black person turn them over to the cops? Once again Wyt folks neutral GTFOH. Perception black on black. Both movies backed by Comcast which is currently working to deny us rights to do business all while backing these BS movies.

[@jlobryan6566]

claude Last I’m trying to understand you but it’s not clicking in my head. I heard Lena in several interviews about this movie and I heard her say that Queen has to be a dark-skin person here (14:46) and elsewhere. I’ve heard her make reference to slaves but not when it comes to the look of the Queen character. Secondly, people sometimes write their own narrative and see/remember only what they want to. The civil rights movement did not just include Black people. White peoples joined us AND a few lost their lives to support our fight: Viola Liuzzo, Jonathan Daniels; William Lewis Moore, and Reverend Bruce Klunder to name a handful. Finally, regarding your black on black comment. I feel you on that but let’s keep it real, some of us act like the oppressor against each other. Revisit 8:15 to 8:45 in this video.

[@cbridges1202]

J L O'Bryan ✊🏾

[@welcome1971]

claude Last I’m 48 and I tend to make up my own mind about things. I loved the movie, the only way I wouldn’t have gone to see it is if Cynthia Erivo was in it, because of her open disdain for american Black people. Also as a Black man I know you’ve heard through out your life “ it’s always one of your own”. The hurt was more because it was a Black man who betrayed them.

[@belindauo]

The reviews from people who have seen this mess of a movie are interesting. Don’t see this movie if you don’t like the way the movie was done. This is not an uplifting movie. It makes black people look bad.

[@itsasia_]

Thank you. People are so easily moved and get excited for any movie that seems to be about BLACK POWER. Even I was but I had so many questions that I had to be honest with myself and say no the movie wasn't good. It had so much bullshit in there that perpetuated a negative stereotype and in the end the message turned out to be "don't go against the police."

[@syckindahead]

🤔wasn't my favorite but was worth seeing.

[@OfficialBunnE]

🥰❤️True break down here from a cinematic perspective kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJ29eHefmbujn5Y ❤️🥰 Much love, Bunny

[@Pattern51lover]

Straight up thought that was a dude in the thumbnail

[@americasni6htmare399]

This movie was absolute garbage made absolutely no sense🤷

America's Ni6htmare I thought it was a beautifully shot film, but forgettable. I think she or he (the writer) is still growing as an artist.