Star, a suicidal teen now too old for foster care, develops a candid rapport with An, a student from Shanghai who is assigned to watch her while she is in hospital. A nightly exchange of secrets, text messages and possessions quickly expands the boundaries of their relationship, altering their inner chemistry. Gilded by a soundscape that interweaves work by emerging and pioneering electronic musicians, Queens of the Qing Dynasty is an offbeat ode to neurodiversity and genderqueer individuals who refuse to conform. Director Ashley McKenzie’s blend of formalism and gritty realism does not fail to surprise and treats the audience to flashes of visual and conceptual poetry. Her cast is entirely composed of first-time actors who convincingly convey how unique every individual is, both in how they see the world and how they relate to others. Ziyin Zheng in the role of An graciously embodies a mix of idiosyncrasy and frankness that makes them an ideal confidante for Star (Sarah Walker). They have what it takes to be on the receiving end of the scrutinising gaze of Star, who sees through conventions and never ceases to be amazed at life’s bewildering events. Veering on slapstick, Walker’s performance will not go unnoticed.
朱迪·格雷尔,保罗·斯帕克斯,亚历山大·斯卡斯加德,艾丽森·皮尔,大卫·帕斯奎斯,Shea Pritchard,Jalen Michael Black,Jaylee Kennedy,米尔卡·吉尔滕,Jacob Alexander,Sierra Foley,Lawrence Grimm,崔西·莱茨,Jennifer Engstrom,玛丽路易丝·贝克,安妮·帕里西,凯特·阿灵顿,Nation Sage Henrikson,Ridge Lewis,Jack Davis
马克·罗利,施卢蒂·哈森,赫里斯托斯·斯泰尔伊约格卢,Linda Marlowe,安娜·萨瓦,Peru Kavalieri,露西娅·德尔加多,Elpida Stathatou,Panos Gkogkos,Aimilios Gkaripis
吉姆·卡明斯,费松·拉夫,乔赛琳·唐娜休,迈克尔·阿伯特,马特·麦克瓦,罗伯特·布罗斯基,尼古拉斯·罗根,理查德·布雷克,芭芭拉·克兰普顿,吉因·琼斯,罗宾·巴特利特,康勒·帕奥罗,纳布斯,瑞恩·马松,谢拉·麦克康米克,乔恩·普劳德斯塔尔,萨姆·亨廷顿,艾丽克斯·埃索,斯嘉丽特·欧尔森