Documentary Review: QUEENS is a Spectacular Series
QUEENS is a National Geographic wildlife series that recently debuted on Disney+. Shot and edited by a women-led production team, QUEENS whisks viewers into the world of animal matriarchs showing the challenges and surprising victories of animals fighting to survive.
The first episode ‘African Queens’ sets the tone of the series and follows a pack of hyenas just as a fight to who leads the pack begins. We follow the tragic loss of a cub by one hyena who must decide if she is to stay in the pack or go out on her own with her remaining daughter. Another tense moment follows a lion pride who must be clever to survive a dangerous male lion who is determined to not only eat the cubs in the pride but also to mate with at least one of the lions.
I found the Coastal episode to be equally as engaging and the struggle of a brown bear to provide for her three cubs is engrossing. Between predators, the threat of starvation, and a changing landscape, the single mother doesn’t get much rest in the wilderness.
Like the documentary POLAR BEAR, QUEENS doesn’t shy away from showing some of the tougher aspects of animals surviving in the wild, especially as they try to navigate climate change and the encroaching of humans on their environments.
I found the elephant episode to be the most moving, as a group of female elephants walks hundreds of miles in search of several watering spots. When they come across the bones of a matriarch, they each gently pay respect to the downed elephant by gently touching their trunks to the bones. I found myself so overcome by this display of love, that it still gives me chills to think about it. Elephants are majestic animals who bond together to protect each other and their ability to remember things is truly magical.
The documentary QUEENS doesn’t just focus on the animal’s physical prowess but also gets deep into their behavior, struggles, and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing environment. With a blend of striking visuals (the nighttime shots are amazing) and descriptive narration, QUEENS not only immerses viewers in the beauty of the environments of the matriarchs but also subtly educates viewers about the effects of humans on their environments.
I would be wrong not to note that the soundtrack, composed by Morgan Kirby, is stellar. Each song feels carefully curated to capture the joy or stress of whatever situation each animal finds herself in and the music leans toward electronic and pop without lyrics. The music feels fresh and paired with Angela Bassett’s voice, elevates this spectacular series.
QUEENS is currently streaming on Disney+ and HULU.
