Queen of the Beach

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2:32

Queen of the Beach

2019

1h 46m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

While on vacation in Goa, India, Canadian filmmaker Chris McDonell turns his camera on Shilpa Poojar, a 9-year-old beach hawker hustling tourists to buy clothes and jewelry from her seaside shop. Funny, charming and skilled beyond her years, she is a migrant worker from the unique Banjara tribe and the primary breadwinner for her family. Forging a connection in this chance encounter, Chris returns 3 times over the next 7 years to capture Shilpa's story of sacrifice and survival and help her achieve her childhood dream of going to school -- a relentless effort that will test them both along the way.

Sabrina McFarland

Common Sense Media

10/15/2021

4/5

Shilpa's go-getter attitude gets an A+, and Queen of the Beach gets a high grade with its important message for kids about the power of getting an education.

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Valerie Kalfrin

AWFJ.org

08/25/2021

"[An] earnest film about child labor, education, and how to best help others less fortunate than ourselves ... a compelling and balanced portrait."

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Sarah Knight Adamson

Sarah's Backstage Pass

08/24/2021

3/4

I applaud anyone in this world that steps up to help children in vulnerable situations to receive an education.

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Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

08/19/2021

3.5/5

Watching this film is a little like watching a man try to clear away quicksand starting from the centre of the pool.

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Kelly Vance

East Bay Express

08/18/2021

Queen of the Beach might have been an effective narrative fiction from Shilpa's point of view. That never happens.

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Evan Dossey

Midwest Film Journal

08/15/2021

An exploitative documentary that captures the shallowness of a white savior worldview.

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Christopher McDonell

Director

Shilpa Poojar

Self

Christopher McDonell

Self

Seeta Kyber Nayka

Self

Pooja Poojar

Self

Kiran Poojar

Self

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Queen of the Beach: Trailer 1

2:32

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Synopsis

While on vacation in Goa, India, Canadian filmmaker Chris McDonell turns his camera on Shilpa Poojar, a 9-year-old beach hawker hustling tourists to buy clothes and jewelry from her seaside shop. Funny, charming and skilled beyond her years, she is a migrant worker from the unique Banjara tribe and the primary breadwinner for her family. Forging a connection in this chance encounter, Chris returns 3 times over the next 7 years to capture Shilpa's story of sacrifice and survival and help her achieve her childhood dream of going to school -- a relentless effort that will test them both along the way.

Director: Christopher McDonell
Producer: Christopher McDonell
Screenwriter: Christopher McDonell
Production Co: Under The Milky Way, Soloshye Pictures
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2021
Runtime: 1h 46m