A moving documentary about the secret life of a local homeless woman, filmed with humanity and genuine curiosity. Rokah shows us that everybody has a story and is much more than who they appear to be. That is the lasting lesson from this film. To pay attention to the humanity of those around us because you never know. Of course Mimi herself is such an inspiration, what a feisty lady! The heart of this film is really golden and memorable. Especially in America, where homelessness is a huge problem, and so many of us step right over or past a homeless person but in Queen Mimi, Rokah patiently and over a long period of time, by interviewing those all around Mimi and Mimi herself, teases out the life of this woman with a goal of revealing the life behind this feisty local homeless woman to show us a woman who has transcended some real hardship. We need more films by Rokah.
12 Reviews
I Love You, Queen Mimi!
patience_wright11 December 2016
I happened to come across this documentary on Netflix a couple of hours ago & I am so very happy that I did! I enjoyed every second of the documentary & strongly recommend it to others, I hated to see it end! Considering I live completely across the United States from Mimi, I know I will never have the opportunity to meet this very special Lady in person, but I certainly would love to! I am grateful that I did get to see this documentary & learn of this incredible Woman's amazing journey!!! Although I'm quite sure there are things in her past that she is leaving in the past, probably to protect others from hurt & pain. I love her attitude, the past is over, it's gone, leave it there! I am grateful that she has been reunited with her daughter after so many years & has had the opportunity to meet her grandchildren. May God continue to Bless you Mimi as you enrich so many lives!
Queen Mimi delivers on just about every single level imaginable. A must see.
Itsbrandoyo15 October 2016
A couple of months ago I watched the trailer for a documentary by the name of Queen Mimi but never heard any more about it. As I was browsing through documentaries on Netflix, looking for something to watch, I saw it listed there. I'm not sure how or why these things sneak out but I was excited it was available and had to watch. I'm completely blown away by the entire thing. The film focuses on an elderly woman who lives in a laundromat on Montana Ave in Santa Monica, California. The entire community embraces and loves her and tries to take her under their wing. She's feisty, humorous and full of life. She'd rather spend her time dancing than contemplating her past. The director, Yaniv Rokah, did a fantastic job of getting to know Mimi and allowing us a front row seat to the experience. We learn about the troubled life she left behind and the celebrity friends she met along the way who ensured her future would not be faced with the same hardships she had to deal with in the past. I laughed, teared up and overall just felt such a complete sense of joy with a smile on my face. I'm sure I'll never have the opportunity to meet Mimi but I'm so glad I got to know her through this. What a wonderful lady.
Always forward, never back.
darlenka18 October 2016
I saw this whilst browsing for the evening's entertainment and immediately knew I wanted to know more about this lady. An 89 year old who loves pink? Are you kidding me? I just had to watch it! It turned out to be so much more as the story unfolded. A story about how an at times out of control life can unfold if one just adopts the right attitude. We can't always control the circumstances of life, but choosing the right attitude is the one thing and perhaps the most important thing we do have control over. Mimi has gotten to 89 years of age having lived a pretty hard life by most people's standards and the above is always worth being reminded of. Thank you Mimi for sharing your story and Yaniv for making it possible.I wish you both a long and happy life.
Dance Party Not a Pity Party
beautysalesqueen16 August 2017
You instantly fall in love with Mimi. No matter what you think at first from looking at her, the stigmas you may have; you just love her.
The more you watch, learning about her hardships, the more you just adore this woman. Her dancing... Her laughter. Every day a smile. Her pure sass and love of life.
You end up, wondering why you have been having a pity party in your own world, instead of a dance party like Queen Mimi.
She puts a lot into perspective. Great movie.
The more you watch, learning about her hardships, the more you just adore this woman. Her dancing... Her laughter. Every day a smile. Her pure sass and love of life.
You end up, wondering why you have been having a pity party in your own world, instead of a dance party like Queen Mimi.
She puts a lot into perspective. Great movie.
MIMI: "Yesterday is the past and should stay there. I live for today!"
odie81311 August 2018
I just turned 81 and have been depressed about the few remaining years I probably have. Then tonight I discovered "Queen Mimi!" What a beautifully done documentary about an 88 year homeless woman who lived in a LaundroMat for over 20 yrs. after losing her family & house and every thing in it. She becomes a street person at age 50. It is so wonderfully filmed and edited and Mimi is such a positive character and ;loved by the Santa Monica, CA. neighborhood! Uplifting feisty and strong, You will want to be her friend too! Don't miss it.
Worth the watch!
cineybuddy9 August 2017
Wasn't sure.. but watched her movie and I just love her! I'm even friends with her on Facebook.. she is truly a wonderful person who lives one day at a time. If we all could be 1/10 of the person she is, oh what a wonderful world it would be! I also appreciate all who have been there for her Zach and the man who owned the laundry mat and any one else who took the time to find out how really wonderful she is...loved the movie ( Very Well Done!). I'd give it a 10 star if I could? Thanks to Mimi for letting us get to know here and for all that helped make a really good story!
Outstanding...Beyond words...
graceoverpressuretheoneANDonly11 October 2019
I was so curious...I had to "click" on this Netflix flick...I am so glad; so grateful and so happy, that I did...What an interesting, provocative, enlightening story of one woman's journey through life - moving forward always, with a glint in her eye and a smile on her face...WHO DOES THAT whose went through what she has????????
No one that I know of.
Zach G. - Kudos to your remarkable sense of right and love for WHAT'S RIGHT, by bringing her story to the light of we, the often, "stone faced" public. I cannot remember when I've seen such a moving rendition of an elderly person's life...Maybe? "On Golden Pond" not sure...In the meantime...
This was filmed in my hometown, I knew Montana well...LIVED on 11th street where the apt. was torn down to make way for affordable housing that dear Mimi would have no part of because of so many "elderly" she did not wish to be around.
The fact that a couple of people gave her an apt. to live in? PRICELESS. As is? This entire story of elder love...
Kudos to all who made it happen...I know that I am changed forever by seeing it. -And that is, very often, what it is all about on this journey we call life.
No one that I know of.
Zach G. - Kudos to your remarkable sense of right and love for WHAT'S RIGHT, by bringing her story to the light of we, the often, "stone faced" public. I cannot remember when I've seen such a moving rendition of an elderly person's life...Maybe? "On Golden Pond" not sure...In the meantime...
This was filmed in my hometown, I knew Montana well...LIVED on 11th street where the apt. was torn down to make way for affordable housing that dear Mimi would have no part of because of so many "elderly" she did not wish to be around.
The fact that a couple of people gave her an apt. to live in? PRICELESS. As is? This entire story of elder love...
Kudos to all who made it happen...I know that I am changed forever by seeing it. -And that is, very often, what it is all about on this journey we call life.
Awesome Lady
nancynylund9 August 2017
I watched this documentary on Netflix a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. She is such a character with an amazing personality. I found myself completely enthralled in her story and was so happy that I had chosen to watch it. I would definitely recommend this documentary to anyone. :)
Queen Mimi is the best Documtary I've seen in years
mrbrightside198024 November 2016
I was looking through Netflix one evening wanting to find a good documentary and I certainly did when I chose this gem. It's warm, uplifting, funny, and delivers on every level possible. This documentary just goes to show you no matter what situation your in you can get through it whether it's in a month or 40 years. It also goes to show that no matter who you are and what you've been through somebody in this world loves you just like everyone loves Mimi. I firmly believe what Mimi says which is yesterday is in the past so leave it there. I wish i lived closer to Mimi just so I could meet but if you ever see this mimi just know that someone over here in Tampa, FL loves you too.
Lovely
gameiro-267862 April 2019
A wake up call for people who has everything except happiness
Gordon-119 January 2019
This documentary shows the life of a woman who had been homeless for over thirty years.
Mimi's life is truly remarkable, because she remains happy and cheerful despite the most unfortunate circumstances. As an interviewee says, most people wouldn't even last five minutes in her situation. Her resilience is truly remarkable. It is a lesson and a wake up call to people who has everything except happiness.
The love she gets from people around her is really touching as well. It shows that the world is still got love and care. As Zach says, people should post more attention and care to the elderly and the underprivileged.
It is a pity that Renee doesn't appear in the documentary to talk about Mimi. The documentary would have been complete with Renee in it.
Mimi's life is truly remarkable, because she remains happy and cheerful despite the most unfortunate circumstances. As an interviewee says, most people wouldn't even last five minutes in her situation. Her resilience is truly remarkable. It is a lesson and a wake up call to people who has everything except happiness.
The love she gets from people around her is really touching as well. It shows that the world is still got love and care. As Zach says, people should post more attention and care to the elderly and the underprivileged.
It is a pity that Renee doesn't appear in the documentary to talk about Mimi. The documentary would have been complete with Renee in it.
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