WFG RATING: A-

Altered Innocence presents a Wrong Men/Les Films du Poisson production in association with Faliro House Productions, Bac Film, and Charades. Directed by Alexis Langlois. Produced by Ines Daien Dasi, Yael Fogiel, and Laetitia Gonzalez. Written by Alexis Langlois, Carlotta Coco, and Thomas Colineau. Cinematography by Marine Atlan. Edited by Gabriel Gonzalez and Alexis Langlois.

Stars Louiza Aura, Gio Ventura, Alma Jodorowsky, Nana Benamer, Dustin Muchuvitz, Raya Martigny, Thomas Poitevin, and Asia Argento. 

The lives of two polar opposites come together in this wild and sometimes tense LGBTQ musical from Alexis Langlois. 

A signing contest is where aspiring prospects Mimi Madamour and Billie Kohler meet. Mimi has been a longtime fan of judge Magalie Charmer. On the other hand, Billie is more of a punk rock who goes against the norms. When Billie is rejected, she lets her anger out but finds her audience at a local club where she gets respected. Mimi, enthused by Billie, goes to the club with bestie Nathalie that night and instantly, she and Billie start a relationship.

Things soon change when Mimi becomes a pop star with a number one single. However, due to her image, she hides her sexuality out of fear from the public, jeopardizing her relationship with Billie. Billie, destroyed when Mimi dumps her, decides to let her anger flow. A decade has passed and Billie’s music has now reached number one on the charts and when she outs Mimi, who is still relishing from her career, things soon come to a crossroads between the two. 

A love story that stands the test of time between two singers is the heart of this film from Alexis Langlois. This is quite a fascinating look at a relationship in which the film begins in the year 2055 with a rabid fan of one of the protagonists acting as our narrator. Langlois and team do a fine job bringing a fine juxtaposition of vibrant colors and dark tones as it depicts the personalities of our two lead characters. 

Louiza Aura and Gio Ventura are fantastic in their roles of Mimi and Billie respectively. On the one hand, Mimi finds herself going from a newcomer who auditions for an “American Idol” like show with her idol watching to become a bonafide pop star with a very catchy tune in “Pas Touche”, co-written by Langlois and French DJ Yelle. On the other hand, Billie stands for feminism and anti-patriarchal views with her techno-punk style of music. They meet at the audition learning they have the same interest in one idol despite their differences in music.

There are some great supporting characters in terms of Mimi’s rise to her pop stardom. Asia Argento (daughter of the legendary Dario Argento) plays Magalie, Mimi’s inspiration to become a singer and soon a close confidant, as is Mimi’s best friend Nathalie. Played by Alma Jodorowsky, the granddaughter of another legendary filmmaker in Alejandro Jodorwosky, Nathalie attempts to keep Mimi away from Billie as she sees her as a bad influence that can destroy her career. 

As mentioned, the music is quite a delight to listen to. From Billie’s introduction song in the club to the final song, the songs really bring out the best in the characters and their emotions when it calls for it. While Mimi’s song is very catchy and has that bubblegum pop flavor, Billie’s music is more message-laden and strong but still good in its own way. 

Queens of Drama is a great film that not only focuses on the ups and downs of a relationship but in a way, also shows the ins and outs of the music industry with excellent performances by Louiza Aura and Gio Ventura as the on-off couple. Definitely a film worth checking out!

The film will be on VOD on July 15 from Altered Innocence.