3 chapters across the catalog
The hosts analyze the trailer for the Universal Pictures film Queen and Slim, written by Lena Waithe and directed by Melina Matsoukas. The film is characterized as a piece of trauma-based entertainment propaganda designed to elicit specific social and political reactions. The discussion notes the long promotional lead time for the movie, comparing its marketing strategy to major franchises like Star Wars.
Movie critic Brandon Avery explains the plot of Queen and Slim, where a first date turns into a cross-country flight from the law after a self-defense shooting of a police officer. The hosts compare the project to Harriet, another Universal Pictures film, criticizing the historical accuracy and casting choices of the studio's recent output. They argue that while the creators are talented, the intended social outcomes of these films are problematic.
Mo discusses the importance of teaching children how to think rather than what to think to help them identify propaganda. The hosts conclude that the "racial thriller" genre, exemplified by Queen and Slim, is a tool to keep the public docile and divided. They view the current refusal of some voters to support traditional political structures as a sign of "political maturation" that scares the elite.
