Good horror films should terrify audiences with memorable monsters and eerie effects, but great horror will also fearlessly tackle timely issues with complex characters and impactful resolve. This is exactly what Tina Romero does in her feature debut, “Queens of the Dead,” with her talented team of collaborators. Though she never expected to make a movie about zombies, the title makes for a beautiful nod to her dad, George, aka the “Father of the Zombie Film” or “Godfather of the Dead,” while still remaining true to herself. Which, as a talented multi-hyphenate, allowed her to imbue the film with even more soul and called back to her early days as a DJ. She speaks to the collective energy music fosters, how her DJ name added another layer to the film’s setting, and how Kesha became the ideal voice for a queer-coded apocalyptic battle cry.
Romero joined me for a lively, revealing interview along with producer Natalie Metzger and actors Tomás Matos (Fire Island, Fantasmas) and Julie J before the film’s premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. They all expressed their overwhelming excitement for working on a project that was as unapologetically queer and richly imagined, and were quick to hype up their sensational co-stars, including: Katy O’Brian, Jaquel Spivey, Riki Lindhome, Margaret Cho, Quincy Dunn-Baker, Jack Haven, Nina West, Dominique Jackson, and Cheyenne Jackson. Furthermore, they credit the makeup designer Christina Grant, hair department head Mitchell Beck, and costume designer David Tabbert for creating unforgettable looks that quite literally slay the house down boots.
The effortless rapport in the following recording and seen on-screen is a direct result of the entire team cultivating a sense of community and tolerance. Attacks against the LGBTQ+ community continue every day and this film is a testament that having an open dialogue and fighting back with kindness and honesty is the only way to achieve a brighter, more accepting future.
