New indie film ‘QUEEN(S)’ brings undocumented immigrant story to Minnesota for its world premiere

“What is it that is special and unique to you that you must offer to the world?” asks Hawaiian-born dance artist Kealoha Ferreira.

Ferreira will pick up her auamo, a traditional Hawaiian carrying pole tied to the idea of responsibility and purpose, as she prepares for her upcoming solo performance at The O’Shaughnessy as part of her McKnight Dance Fellowship. 

Across the Twin Cities this weekend, artists are using dance, film, murals and music to explore questions of identity, responsibility and belonging. 

“QUEEN(S),” a new indie film, explores the uncertainty of living undocumented in the United States. Muralists and graffiti artists will transform walls at the Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival rooted in their cultural heritage. Musicians will turn South Minneapolis porches into stages for Powderhorn Porchfest. 

Finding kuleana through dance

 Six McKnight Dance Fellows will take the stage at The O’Shaughnessy this weekend for “Solo,” a program of new dance works created with local, national and international choreographers. 

Among them is Kealoha Ferreira’s “Auamo,” created with Minnesota-based choreographer Ananya Chatterjea and Hawaiian-based cultural practitioner Mehanaokala Hind. The piece explores “auamo kuleana” — the Hawaiian call to find your purpose and carry your responsibility to the land and community. 

“The overall theme is inspiring us to find our kuleana — our talent and our gifts to offer to the world so that we can enact, with power, the liberation that we need to have together,” Ferreira said. 

The piece will also introduce yorchhā, a contemporary dance style created by Chatterjea’s dance theater that blends vinyasa yoga, classical Indian Odissi dance and the martial art form Chhau. A projection of O’ahu, Hawaii, where Ferreira grew up, will play in the background. 

An undocumented life on screen

A new indie film spotlighting the undocumented immigrant experience made its world premiere at Minneapolis’ Riverview Theater on Thursday and continues its Minnesota run this weekend. 

“QUEEN(S),” written and directed by Anup Kurian, follows Sisi, an East Asian woman in her early 30s navigating the constant uncertainty of living undocumented in Queens, New York. Sisi is played by Chi Hua Lee-Secci, a first-generation Taiwanese immigrant actor. 

“She’s trying to make the American dream come alive,” said first-time co-producer Deepa Nair. “Every day, she is dealing with some issue with her legal status, economic issues, relationship issues. She’s trying to make it one day at a time, but always looking over her shoulder.” 

The filmmakers chose Minneapolis for the film’s world premiere because of partnerships with local advocacy groups, including the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota, the Cedar Cultural Center and the Twin Cities West Metro Asian Fair. Half of the producers’ share of box-office revenue will be donated to partner organizations. 

This weekend, the film will screen at Plymouth’s Emagine Willow Creek through Sept. 24 before expanding to theaters in cities nationwide. 

Watch the trailer here. 

St. Paul Mural Crawl

Muralists are bringing new work — including stories rooted in Latine, Chinese and Liberian cultures — to the annual Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival this weekend. 

D Guzmán will honor her family’s immigrant journey, while Sharon Liú will trace her relationship to water, from Hangzhou, China, to Minnesota’s Boundary Waters. 

Flahn Manly will depict “Knock Foot,” a childhood game from Liberia similar to rock-paper-scissors but played with your feet. Stevie Shao will paint a snake and tiger facing one another as a meditation on duality. 

At the Alley Jam, local graffiti artists will paint on walls and shipping containers behind Twin Cities Janitor Supply. On Saturday morning, hop on a bike tour through South Saint Anthony Park to see murals around the neighborhood. 

The Saturday Block Party will offer guided mural bus tours, and the festival will wrap up with an after party at Dual Citizen Brewing Company. 

Obi Original, live on the porch

If Uptown Porchfest in August left you wanting more acoustic sets in front yards, Powderhorn Porchfest offers another chance to hear local musicians. 

Obi Original will headline the festival with his band, The Black Atlantics, alongside spoken word performances, DJ sets, drumlines, choirs and live bands across four stages. 

You can also get your face painted, try screen printing, browse children’s books by Black, Indigenous and writers of color, and dig through the Minnesota Music Archive. 

CORRECTION: Chi Hua Lee-Secci and Sisi’s ethnic backgrounds and the movie name, QUEEN(S), have been updated.

The post New indie film ‘QUEEN(S)’ brings undocumented immigrant story to Minnesota for its world premiere appeared first on Sahan Journal.

Originally reported by Sahan Journal by Myah Goff. Read the full story at the source.