‘Queen of Glory’ by Nana Mensah — Film Review
‘Queen of Glory’, written and directed by Nana Mensah, premiered as part of the Tribeca 2021 Film Festival U.S. Narrative Competition section and Juneteenth programming.
SYNOPSIS: Brainy scientist Sarah, a doctoral student at Columbia University, is weeks away from following her very married boyfriend to Ohio when her mother dies suddenly, leaving Sarah the owner of a small but beloved Christian bookstore in the Bronx. Tasked with planning a culturally respectful funeral befitting the family matriarch, Sarah must juggle the expectations of her loving yet demanding family while navigating the reappearance of her estranged father all while grappling with what to do with the bookstore. Aided by an only-in-New York ensemble of Eastern European neighbors, feisty African aunties and a no-nonsense ex-con coworker, Sarah faces her new responsibilities while figuring out how to remain true to herself.
Nana Mensah’s feature directorial debut is a proverbial pilgrimage to self-discovery told through the lens of a girl-interrupted. Sarah, exceptionally portrayed by Nana Mensah (also known from her acting in “The Chair”, “The King of Staten Island”, “New Amsterdam”, “Stranger Things”), takes us on a poignant journey in this charming and original dramedy. Queen of Glory is enriched with cultural quirks, nuance, insight and dry humor — a brilliant reflection to Mensah’s personal storytelling and directing skills.
The film’s cast selection aligns beautifully with Mensah’s surprising purpose for each character. The most memorable being Meeko Gattuso. His involvement as the no-nonsense ex-con coworker (Pitt) is nothing short of genius. Gattuso’s character defies the stereotype often placed upon ex-convicts; and coupled with his role in the bookstore, it allows the viewer to experience Pitt beyond his external appearance. This is a huge nod to Gattuso’s acting chops.
While the story’s foundation is rooted in tragedy (a young woman losing her mother unexpectedly), the film reveals the universally relatable and festive inner workings of an immigrant family. Mensah’s respect and affection is felt in the authentic depiction of her Ghanaian-American community and Ghanaian history. The narrative of Sarah’s voyage — who she is pre-realization, the beautiful in-between, and Sarah fully realized — is, at its core, what makes Queen of Glory glow.
Nana Mensah is an actor, writer, and director. Her acting credits include Netflix’s BONDiNG, NBC’s New Amsterdam, and the forthcoming Netflix series The Chair starring Sandra Oh. She has written on shows for Amazon, HBO, and Netflix, as well as original pilots. Queen of Glory is her first film.
DIRECTOR: Nana Mensah
SCREENWRITER: Nana Mensah
PRODUCER: Jamund Washington, Kelley Robins Hicks, Baff Akoto, Nana Mensah, Anya Migdal
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Cybel Martin
EDITOR: Cooper Troxell
WITH: Nana Mensah, Meeko Gattuso, Oberon KA Adjepong, Adam Leon
