Exploring Empowered Women in Queens: A National Geographic Showcase

Queens is a new series from National Geographic that delves into the matriarchies and female leaders of the natural world. Narrated by Angela Bassett, known for her role as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Queens explores the remarkable stories of female power and guidance found across the animal kingdom. This groundbreaking series was created by a team of female filmmakers, bringing a unique perspective to the world of natural history.

Among the talented filmmakers behind Queens are director of photography Sophie Darlington and director/producer Faith Musembi. Darlington, known for her work on the acclaimed nature documentary Our Planet, has also contributed to projects such as PBS' Nature, The Matin Game, and Dynasties II. Musembi, who previously worked as a field producer on the series Chasing the Rains in 2022, takes on the role of director in Queens, marking a new chapter in her career.

Faith Musembi and Sophie Darlington were interviewed by Screen Rant about the extensive process of creating Queens and their exploration of matriarchies in National Geographic's new project.

How Queens Successfully Executes Its Concept

Orcas National Geographic Queens - How Queens Delivers On Its Premise

Screen Rant: Queens is not only ambitious in what it delivers and what audiences will love, but also in how it is making a difference in the industry. By investing in diverse women, pushing the industry forward, and setting the stage for more incredible content to come from Nat Geo and in natural history in general, Queens is truly setting a new standard. Do you feel that it lives up to this ambition?

Faith Musembi: Absolutely, I believe it more than meets expectations. As someone who is usually quite critical of my work, I must admit that the results speak for themselves. Having been involved in the filming process for half of the episodes, I have a deep understanding of what went on behind the scenes. Despite this insider knowledge, watching the final product still manages to move me. It fills me with immense pride to have been a part of this incredible journey.

Sophie Darlington: At the outset, we knew that we would face harsh judgment. Chloe pointed out yesterday that when we first viewed the initial version of "African Queens," it perfectly encapsulated the essence we had aimed for - from the music to the style. Personally, Faith's episode never fails to touch me deeply. Witnessing Faith's evolution from a mentee to a proficient PD, contributing to the lasting impact of the project. The presence of Faith, Erin, Tanya, and Erica, alongside other remarkable women in conservation, is truly inspiring. Despite potential criticisms, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved.

Faith Musembi: I believe that by using an in-country filming crew, we have eliminated all the excuses for not doing it before. This has opened up a world of possibilities for us.

Sophie Darlington: When you say "ruin it," I think you mean make it even better. Having Faith and Erica on board brings new voices that have been missing. This enriches the storytelling and makes it more appealing to a wider audience. It's a win-win situation and a clear choice.

Faith Musembi: Yeah. It's just showing the world of possibilities when you ask the question, "What if we did this differently?"

On How The Original Vision Of Queens Evolved Over Time

Lion National Geographic Queens - On How The Original Vision Of Queens Evolved Over Time

Can you tell me a little bit about if and how that original vision changed from when you first started to what's finally being delivered next month?

Sophie Darlington: At the beginning, one of the main challenges we faced was the lack of female DPs in our team. We wondered how we could change that. Thankfully, our male allies fully supported us, and now we have successfully nurtured five incredible talents. This positive change is something I had hoped for, and I am thrilled that it has become a reality.

Faith Musembi: When I first joined the project, I was expecting to receive mentoring from Sophie and other experienced women in the field. However, the start of the pandemic led to global border closures, preventing us from meeting in person. Despite this obstacle, we continued filming, and I was able to receive guidance from Sophie and the team through Zoom. This change in plans did not alter the outcome but actually improved it, giving it a different perspective.

The Future Of Queens

Sophie Darlington: I totally agree. In wildlife filmmaking, you have to be adaptable. You can't force an elephant to go somewhere it doesn't want to go. We all need to be flexible, whether it's behind the camera or in the production team. Throughout the process, there was a great effort to achieve our goals in pre-production, post-production, and during the actual filming to get the desired end result.

Hyenas National Geographic Queens - The Future Of Queens

If Queens can continue, and I really hope it does, what do you want to see or do next from that?

Queens

Sophie Darlington believes that there should be more people who resemble Faith to be mentored by her. She suggests including a variety of voices and expanding beyond the charismatic matriarchal species in Africa to also include those in Asia. There is plenty of room for growth and development, so let's move forward and expand our horizons. Let's see more Queens 2, 3, 4, and 5. Let's go!

National Geographic Queens Key Art-1 - About Queens

Queens showcases matriarchies and female leaders worldwide, sharing tales of sacrifice, resilience, friendship, and love. These Queens are not always gentle, prioritizing the success and safety of their families above all else. Narrated by the talented Angela Bassett, the series offers a unique perspective on the natural world through the eyes of females. Developed over four years by a diverse female-led production team, Queens stands out in the natural history genre. Using cutting-edge technology, the seven-part series uncovers how female animals rise to power through cooperation and wisdom rather than brute strength.

Check out our interview with Vanessa Berlowitz and Chloe Sarosh as well.

Queens premieres March 4 on National Geographic.

Source: Screen Rant Plus

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the groundbreaking work of a team of female filmmakers who have created "Queens," a series that explores the matriarchies and female leaders in the natural world. The article discusses the challenges and rewards of creating the series, as well as the filmmakers' hopes for the future of the project.

I am impressed by the ambition and dedication of the filmmakers behind "Queens." They have created a series that is not only informative and engaging but also groundbreaking in its representation of women in the natural world. The series is a testament to the power of female leadership and the importance of diversity in storytelling. I am excited to see what the future holds for "Queens" and hope that it continues to inspire and educate audiences for years to come.