Who could have guessed there was so much depth, humor and determination in Girl Scouts selling cookies?
But “Cookie Queens” is continually surprising as it follows a quartet who in just six weeks can reap wonderful prizes – if they meet their sales goals.
“My interest,” explained writer-director Alysa Nahmias in a virtual interview, “was looking at the cookie sale as a microcosm for some bigger, more universal questions and ideas.
“I wanted to look at how girls are seen by society. How girls learn about their value and participate in the economy. And also, just thinking about coming of age. What does it mean to ‘come of age’ in this culture, this economy today?”
The cookie contestants and their families are identified by first names only.
“Shannon Elizabeth, who is in El Paso, was seven when we filmed. She’s a Brownie, which is a younger Girl Scout, and is super into karate. She wants to go to camp with the money she makes from selling cookies.
“Her story is about finding her voice, her confidence by doing something that’s really hard to do.
“Nikki is nine. She has two older sisters and really wants to be like them. But she also wants to be her own person. So it’s that inner journey for Nikki. About belonging to her family and also having her own identity.
“Ara is five, new to Girl Scouts. It’s only her second year, and she is increasing her goal by the highest ratio. Last year she sold five boxes. Now she’s going for 55. Whereas the other girls are selling thousands.
“That,” Nahmias emphasized, “was important to me because the film was never about how many cookies the girls sold or who was going to ‘win.’ Because it’s not a competition (although it plays with that).
“Ara’s story lets us see how big that goal is for her, and that we can care about someone who wants to sell 55 boxes just as much as we care about someone who might sell thousands.
“Speaking of which, the fourth Girl Scout is Olive, 12 in the film. She lives in Charlotte, N.C. and her troupe is really accomplished. She’s the record holder, one of the top sellers in her region.
“She’s grappling with: What does it mean to be the reigning champ? Am I going to want more and more this year? Or am I going to call it ‘Enough’?”
One clue to how pervasive the Girl Scout cookie sales are is its Royal executive producers: Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
“Meghan,” Nahmias revealed, “is a Girl Scout herself. Her mom was her troop leader. And we are just so thrilled to have them among our amazing team.”
“Cookie Queens” opens in theaters Aug. 7
Ara takes care of business in a scene from “Cookie Queens.” (Photo courtesy Roadside Attractions)