"QUEEN(S)” – the engaging Indie film shot in NYC and SE Asia 3 years before the Metro Surge in the Twin Cities last winter – puts a real face on an undocumented immigrant trying to embrace the American Dream.

Like The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, the film’s creators, cast and producers wanted to honor the Twin Cities for its immigration struggles and courageous stance by staging the movie’s World Premiere on September 17. This will be a one-night event at the historic Riverview Theater, followed by a post-film conversation with lead actor Chi Hua Lee-Secci, the filmmakers and Twin Cities community partners.

PUTTING A HUMAN FACE ON THE CHALLENGES OF TRYING TO BECOME AN AMERICAN

Immigration is often discussed as a divisive political issue. But QUEEN(S) brings the conversation down to just one person's nonpartisan story and circumstances – following a young woman trying to build an ordinary life in Queens under extraordinary uncertainty.

The premiere screening of QUEEN(S) also launches what the filmmakers call the “Civic Cinema” initiative, connecting stories reflected on screen with organizations confronting those realities every day: 50% of the producers’ share of box-office revenue will be donated to partner organizations. After the Riverview premiere, QUEEN(S) begins a week-long run at Emagine Willow Creek movie theater September 18, with Civic Cinema programming continuing throughout the engagement -- and expanding later to additional cities across the United States.