The Queen
In Manuel Abramovich’s first film from 2013, we watch Memi practising her tennis as her mother lists her rankings in competitions, then swimming to the shrill whistle of her trainer. But the worst test of all is her performance as the carnival’s Chocolate Queen. Her mother, with the help of other women, prepares her by describing the suffering endured previous years’ queens. While countless hands fiddle and fuss, Memi remains silent and emotionless. Her expression, a pout somewhere between boredom and contempt, is perhaps a sign of her resistance to total submission. Her sullen silence then turns to crying and begging as they place the crown on her head. But none of the women bustling around her will do anything. One must suffer to be beautiful…
Lysa Heurtier Manzanares
Director
In Manuel Abramovich’s first film from 2013, we watch Memi practising her tennis as her mother lists her rankings in competitions, then swimming to the shrill whistle of her trainer. But the worst test of all is her performance as the carnival’s Chocolate Queen. Her mother, with the help of other women, prepares her by describing the suffering endured previous years’ queens. While countless hands fiddle and fuss, Memi remains silent and emotionless. Her expression, a pout somewhere between boredom and contempt, is perhaps a sign of her resistance to total submission. Her sullen silence then turns to crying and begging as they place the crown on her head. But none of the women bustling around her will do anything. One must suffer to be beautiful…
Lysa Heurtier Manzanares
Director
