“Cookie Queens” is now in theaters nationwide.
WASHINGTON — A coming-of-age story is coming to the big screen from documentary filmmaker Alysa Nahmias (“Wildcat,” “Unfinished Spaces”).
“Cookie Queens” introduces four young girls as they uncover the joys, pressures and tensions surrounding one of America’s most cherished observances: Girl Scout Cookie season.
“My kids had wanted me to make a film that they’d really want to recommend to their friends, so that was the sort of spark,” said Nahmias, who wasn’t a Girl Scout herself while she was growing up. “I started to think about it as not just a visually interesting, totally entertaining world of young women and customers and all the different walks of life, but also a way to think about a microcosm for the culture and economy and how kids are taught —and specifically girls — are taught about our place and our value in the economy.”
The 91-minute, G-rated documentary showcases Ara, Nikki, Olive and Shannon Elizabeth as they strive to become the top-selling “Cookie Queen” in their area.
“There are so many amazing Girl Scouts out there. We did a wide casting call and very grassroots, totally independent production, not affiliated with the Girl Scouts organization,” Nahmias said. “What stood out about these four girls is not only how they interplay with each other, and you can see each of them reflected in some of the others, but also that they’re on an inner journey. It’s not just the outer journey of selling cookies — whether it’s wanting to be like your older sisters, or really struggling financially as a family, or having diabetes and selling cookies that are very sugary or being a reigning champ — what does it mean for anyone, whether it’s sports or music or whatever, when you’ve won something or you’ve really excelled in it as a kid, what does it mean when you’re questioning that, and whether you want to keep doing that?”
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are executive producers of “Cookie Queens” through their company Archewell Productions.
“They loved it. They got the film. They understood the creative intention, which was to highlight the voices of young people and to tell a more universal story,” Nahmias said. “There was also a personal aspect in that Meghan was a Girl Scout herself, and her mom was her troop leader. We have several Girl Scouts on our team, and I think all of their expertise and passion comes through in the film, as well as them sort of understanding what some of the challenges are and how the organization could continue to be better in the future.”
It was only fitting to conclude the interview by finding out Nahmias’ favorite Girl Scout Cookie.
“Of the classics, I like a Thin Mint anytime,” Nahmias said. “If you’re going to go out on a limb with $6, go for the Lemonades. They’re pretty delicious, if you like lemon.”
“Cookie Queens” opened in theaters nationwide Friday, Aug. 7.