Having its world premier at Riverview theater in Minneapolis where immigration is a fiery hot bed topic “Queen(s)” is not shy on its intent. “We want to be the start of the conversation.” said one of the producers before the film started. Queen(s) is not giving out any solutions to the problems of immigration or legality of sex work, merely asking questions. It feels at times to be a crime jut to exist sometimes. It is a small independent film that was able to be filmed in areas in southeast Asia and New York.  “Queen(s)” follows the life and struggles of Sisi. She is from China and in the U.S. illegally. She prostitutes herself to pay off debts and rent. The film has a softness to harsh life Sisi is attempting to earn.  The smartest part was to start the film as she attempts to get citizenship through one of her clients acting like they are husband and wife. Through many obstacles, namely the law, Sisi tries many professions to make her way only to return to prostitution.  It’s hard to change habits and change environments. There is a deeper theme of identity, a discussion of gaining or losing it with change of environment.  Instead the story  insists on staying on the surface of Sisi just being alone, without proper documentation in New York struggling to be regarded as human and just to exist shouldn’t be illegal. 

Sisi is played by Chi-Hua Lee-Secci. A touching, enduring performance. Lee-Secci brings a mixed sense of naive wonder of life and solemn taste of its harshness. She is naturally captivating, and the camera seems to follow her lead. Sisi is  enduring, not thriving, just barely surviving. The title of the film I believe is in reference to her and her location.

What works with the film is the locations. Scenes in the court room and exteriors work great for the story. The film score with a haunting longing provides a solemn tone to the film. The comedy touches are well crafted and rightfully needed, it’s the pacing along with an undeveloped script and starchy acting that takes the film back. There’s a death scene that doesn’t quite deliver the punch that it needs and does not earn. There is also a sense of no real danger of Sisu although there is an immense amount of empathy. The film is telling us that kindness and care  and the courage to use them is needed to improve conditions.  What is missing and might be intentionally is motivation. We really don’t know why Sisu decided to come to the United States and by illegal means, we don’t know how she got started in prostitution or why she chose that profession other than it pays really well for her. But I believe that is intentional to the makers of this film. To law enforcers and law makers SIsi is a criminal, to herself she is just being who she wants to be not what others want her to be, if being stubborn to that, is that a crime ? 7/10