{"id":22035,"date":"2022-05-14T12:46:29","date_gmt":"2022-05-14T16:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hunterword.com\/?p=22035"},"modified":"2022-05-14T17:28:51","modified_gmt":"2022-05-14T21:28:51","slug":"luis-de-leons-the-queen-of-the-desert-film-short-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hunterword.com\/index.php\/luis-de-leons-the-queen-of-the-desert-film-short-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Luis De Leon’s THE QUEEN OF THE DESERT Film Short Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

QUEEN OF THE DESERT has been named an Official Selection of the Baltimore Black International Film Festival, the Toronto Black Film Festival, the Denton Black Film Festival (where it was named Finalist in the Best Shorts Narrative Category), the Front Range Film Festival and the Through Women\u2019s Eyes International Film Festival.
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QUEEN OF THE DESERT is Director Mary Ann Rotondi\u2019s creative endeavor to make a movie commentary about what she believed were the dynamic social and political forces menacing this country and how they might be resolved. Rotondi, who won Best Woman Directed Short at the 2022 Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, uses two characters of different gender, ethnicity, personal values as well as social and political mores to express her point of view that the power of people\u2019s shared humanity<\/a> can ameliorate the centrifugal forces she believes are tearing away at America.<\/p>\n

At first, this reviewer thought it was unrealistically idealistic. It didn\u2019t make sense how Gus, White, an unabashed patron of Confederate mores and memorabilia, would try to protect Livy, Black and stand-her-ground-proud, from a menacing state trooper. The empathy between the key characters seemed to form too fast for their differences to positively coincide.<\/p>\n

Yet, it\u2019s small and intimate details intricately woven into the story that give QUEEN OF THE DESERT clarity and make it shine. For example, parallels are revealed in selected scenes in the course of the 14-minute film. That is, those of Gus\u2019 troubled daughter and Livy, who is also troubled, allowing Gus\u2019 fatherly instincts to kick in, thus helping a young woman in need regardless of her race.<\/p>\n

Also, just as telling but also subtle, was Director Rotondi\u2019s scene of Livy finding a photo of Gus\u2019 daughter right before they get pulled out of the truck by the state trooper.<\/p>\n

The scenes of Livy\u2019s reminiscing about the thralldom of slavery and her heritage refute Gus\u2019 reasons for proudly displaying the confederate flag and the ethos it represents, thus revealing his flaws in the way he sizes her up. Yet, Livy’s stereotyping of Gus reveals her flaws in sizing him up. The scene of them sharing a bag of chips shows how their misbeliefs and narrow-mindedness can morph into a newfound level of mutual respect.<\/p>\n

Scenes like these allow us to understand the characters more and witness their metamorphosing development throughout the film. They also can encourage audiences to check up on their empathy<\/p>\n

The cinematography is gorgeous. Juxtaposition of the cramp setting of the cab and the panoramic-like views of the desert with scenes of two people at each other\u2019s throats before the setting in of relative harmony and the sharing of a stolen bag of chips powerfully symbolize the director\u2019s theme of how a true rapture can help transcend the gulfs that seem to separate us.<\/p>\n

The soundtrack cuts in and out with an almost hypnotic drone. This accentuates the tension throughout the movie. Even as the credits roll, the soundtrack is robust.<\/p>\n

Altogether, this film is a cinematic amalgam of tension, flaws, understanding, humanity and fulfillment in a terse and well orchestrated short. While it could take a couple of viewings for audiences to understand and appreciate the essence of QUEEN OF THE DESERT \u2013 and that\u2019s not an unpleasurable experience \u2013 the film succeeds illustrating what inspired the director to make her film \u2013 and to believe that we will believe.<\/p>\n

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