Directed by Jacques Naudé, Known for his Acclaimed Documentary ‘MAMUS,’ Short Form Film Features Vocalist Blondie Chaplin (The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones)
Score Composed by Andrew Morse of The Tasty Kings, who Included the Song on their Recently Released 3rd Album, ‘Native Tongue’
Video to Screen at Events/Festivals in Austin, Barcelona, Berlin, Dallas, Dublin, London, Los Angeles, New Jersey, New York City and Rome
2025 Webby Award Nominee for Best Individual Performance, Performance & Craft (Video & Film)
Los Angeles, CA: In a continuing age where independent productions eclipse major studio fare with big budget flair, there’s another entrant making waves in their place as “Maybe I’m a Queen,” a social expose by New York City’s The Tasty Kings, has taken the film fest circuit by storm, shunning industry norms with its eloquent and tasteful form.
Written by Andrew Morse, the song appears on ‘Native Tongue,’ The Tasty Kings’ critically-acclaimed third album of which Goldmine championed its “articulate arrangements and well-crafted melodies that convey a seasoned sound” while The Aquarian extolled “the band’s consummate musicianship deftly crafted lyrics.”
For bringing the poignant lyrics to the silver screen, Morse approached South African auteur Jacques Naudé, who’s highly-regarded for his moving documentary MAMUS (Rolling Stone Films) about the indigenous Arhuaco people in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Working with producers Lucas Carpenter and Mikayla Gamble (of Bryght Young Things) and Act Real Natural Casting, Naudé employed his mindful, spiritually-driven cinematography acumen with help from Jake Magee (Director of Photography), Yoshi Abe (First Assistant Camera) and Lighting Director Hector Perez. The final clip is a stunning achievement in visual magnification.
Noted author Jardine Libaire (White Fur, Gravity, Here Kitty Kitty) eloquently surmised its emotional impact, “Nameless highways, cityscapes too far away to touch, and empty sidewalks – this modern world asks questions about who we are. ‘Maybe I’m a Queen’
answers with a dreamy, radiant, lovely little portfolio. The Tasty Kings with Blondie Chaplin are putting together the shards of a broken mirror.
For someone who played midnight gigs at the age of twelve in 1963 South Africa, you’d think Blondie could be jaded. But his eyes are clear, his voice is raw, and he conducts this song in a sacred tone. He lies back on crimson carpet in a hotel with nowhere to be, and thinks about this strange moment in time. And what does he promise?
The city is impenetrable, the overpass is blank, the cars are blurs. But a parade of souls, portraits that quiver like a flower does, show us humanity. Even when these beautiful characters are filmed alone, they’re brought together. The queen, the mother, the child, the hero from a long-ago dream, the poet running guns on the side.
It’s a fractured place we call home these days, we’re divided and at odds. But Blondie’s words match each brief moment here of exquisite dance, a girl laughing, a man moving with a shadow—proving we’re all one, and the same spirit flows through every being.”
Programming directors and committees at film festivals worldwide agree with the video amassing 20+ Official Selections for 2025/2026. Distinguished nods include the ARFF Barcelona International Film Festival, Austin Lift-Off Film Festival, Berlin Music Video Awards, Dallas Independent Film Fest, IFS L.A. Film Fest, Independent Shorts Awards (LA), L.A. Underground Film Forum, London Independent Film Awards, London Music Video Awards, Los Angeles Movie & Music Video Awards (“Best Director”), New Jersey Web Festival, NYC Indie Film Fest, RED Movie Awards, Rome International Movie Awards, Underground Cinema Film Awards (Dublin), Venice Shorts Los Angeles and WSXA Barcelona International Film Fest.
“Maybe I’m a Queen” was also nominated for a Webby Award for ‘Best Individual Performance, Performance & Craft (Video & Film),’ up against pop stars Christina Aguilera and Sabrina Carpenter for their collaboration on “What a Girl Wants.”
Queen has its share of stars too, spanning many generations. In addition to lauded South African journeyman Blondie Chaplin, known for his work with The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, David Johansen (of the New York Dolls), Brian Wilson and Rick Danko (of The Band), the video features up ‘n coming actresses Cassandra Momah, Olamiju Obanikoro and Alyssa Arbouet as well as a number of dancers/artists from Bloc LA including Skyler Altman, Jai Robinson, Chloe Smith, Hunter Wayne Foster and Keera Kittles, who can be seen in Tate McRae’s music video for “Revolving Door” (from her So Close to What album) and was a part of the ensemble for Doechii’s show- stopping performance during this year’s Grammy Awards. Cyber Yoga founder and body contortionist Lamonte Goode also makes his presence felt with his signature
upside down one-handed, legs-outstretched handstand, just another one of the indelible images captured on film.
For all the bright young things in “Maybe I’m a Queen,” the same spirit flowed through every being, one of believing in the power of the medium.
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Music Video: “Maybe I’m a Queen” (music by The Tasty Kings with Blondie Chaplin)
Produced by Lucas Carpenter & Mikayla Gamble of Bryght Young Things Director – Jacques Naudé
Director of Photography – Jake Magee
First Assistant Camera – Yoshi Abe
Second Assistant Camera & Loaders – Ambar Capoor & Jennifer Lai Lighting Director & Still Photography – Hector Perez
Editor – Alvaro Del Val
Colorist – Mikey Rossiter
Shooting Format: 35mm 500T & 5222 B&W Panavision
Film Color: Black & White and Color
Film Processing & Scans – Fotokem
Graphic Design – Jan Solms
Casting – Act Real Natural
Cast: Blondie Chaplin, Brandy Waller, Derek Halliburton, Skyler Altman, Arbouet Family, Saidyr Diof, Lamonte Goode, Stanislavski, Hunter Wayne Foster, Keera Kittles, Chloe Smith, Bobby Barron, Jai Robinson, Olamiju Obanikoro, Cassandra Momah.