MOVIE REVIEW
Queens (Reinas)
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Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 44m
Director(s): Klaudia Reynicke-Candeloro
Writer(s): Klaudia Reynicke-Candeloro, Diego Vega
Cast: Abril Gjurinovic, Luana Vega, Jimena Lindo, Gonzalo Molina, Susi Sánchez, Denise Arregui, Fabrizio Aguilar, Tatiana Astengo, Sebastián Rubio, Alexandra Müller, Uma Mikati
Language: Spanish with English subtitles
Where To Watch: opens November 29, 2024 in Manhattan and November 29 in Los Angeles (Laemmle Theatres)

RAVING REVIEW: Klaudia Reynicke-Candeloro's REINAS (QUEENS) paints a vivid vision of 1990s Peru, telling the tale of two sisters, Lucia (Abril Gjurinovic) and Aurora (Luana Vega,) poised on the cusp of a relocation to the United States. The film immerses viewers in the realities of a nation gripped by social and political upheaval. Yet, the sisters' transition story and the sudden reemergence of their father, Carlos (Gonzalo Molina,) captures the heart of the narrative. Reynicke-Candeloro's discerning portrayal of this family saga peels back layers of personal strife against a backdrop of national chaos, making the private dramas as compelling as the public ones.

In REINAS, Lucia and Aurora's emotional odyssey is linked with their father. Carlos’ timely and tumultuous return to their lives, propelled by the necessity of his legal approval for their emigration, injects a dynamic into the sisters’ already fraught journey, illustrating the messy entanglements of family ties.

The drama develops with Reynicke using the broader political disturbances of Peru as more than just a scenic backdrop but less than a protagonist, allowing the personal narratives to shine through the gloom of civil strife. This directorial choice ensures that the bonds and character arcs are the true pulse of the film, inviting audiences to delve deeper into the personal stories that play out against a tapestry of historical turbulence.

Through exploring societal layers, REINAS highlights the stark contrasts in how different social strata navigate the storms of political change. The sisters’ middle-class experience in Lima is a protective bubble and a reflective surface for broader social issues, illustrating the disparities and privileges that color their world. These elements are woven into everyday scenarios that underscore the poignant realities of personal battles, which often rival the scale and impact of public conflicts.

Reynicke’s narrative is visually stunning. The director captures Lima in vibrant hues that contrast sharply with the dark shadows of military enforcement, creating a visual debate that mirrors the film’s thematic exploration of light and shadow in human experience. This visual enhances the storytelling and deepens the scenes' emotional resonance, making each frame a canvas of conflict and contemplation.

The subplot involving Carlos and his ex-wife Elena, portrayed by Jimena Lindo, is especially poignant. Their divergent approaches to parenting, with Elena’s pragmatic urgency juxtaposed against Carlos’ whimsical neglect, paint a picture of the challenges and sacrifices inherent in their quest for a better future for their children. This highlights the broader themes of sacrifice, responsibility, and the pursuit of happiness within the framework of familial obligation and personal aspiration.

REINAS is a cinematic odyssey through the emotional landscapes of a family at a pivotal crossroads. The film is a meditation on the enduring bonds of family and the unrelenting pressures of societal forces. As the sisters navigate the uncertainties of their identities and futures, they are portrayed not just as characters in a film but as poignant symbols of the struggle for self-determination amid the broader currents of history. The film concludes with a poignant ambiguity, mirroring the unresolved journeys of its characters who stand on the threshold of new lives, both literal and metaphorical. 

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