''Kanaval'' is a 2023 drama film, directed by

Henri Pardo Henri Pardo is a Canadian actor and filmmaker. He is most noted as director of the documentary film '' Dear Jackie'', which was a nominee for the Donald Brittain Award at the 11th Canadian Screen Awards in 2023. Born in Edmundston, New Brunswic ...

. A co-production of companies from Canada and Luxembourg, the film centres on Rico ( Rayan Dieudonné), a young boy who has emigrated with his mother Erzuile (Penande Estime) from their native

Haiti Haiti (; ht, Ayiti ; French: ), officially the Republic of Haiti (); ) and formerly known as Hayti, is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica, and ...

to a small town in Quebec, where they live with childless older couple Albert ( Martin Dubreuil) and Cécile (Claire Jacques).Courtney Small
"Tiff 2023: Kanaval review"
''That Shelf'', September 8, 2023. The cast includes Hana Sofia Lopes, Jean Jean, Marc Assiniwi, Christian Cardin, Carol Beaudry,

Rykko Bellemare Rykko Bellemare (born 1991) is a Native Canadian film actor, best known for his lead role as Shawnouk in ''Before the Streets (Avant les rues)''. He won the Prix Iris for Revelation of the Year, its award for debut performances, at the 19th Quebe ...

and David Biron. The film's production was first announced in 2020, when it received support from the Netflix/ Canadian Film Centre Project Development Accelerator project. It entered production in April 2022, with shooting in both the Dominican Republic and Canada. The film premiered in the Centrepiece program at the

2023 Toronto International Film Festival The 48th annual Toronto International Film Festival was held from September 7 to 17, 2023.Victoria Ahearn"TIFF reveals new programmers and other 2023 festival details" '' Playback'', April 20, 2023. The most noted change from past years was tha ...

Critical response

Courtney Small of ''That Shelf'' wrote that "''Kanaval'' may not land all of the sprawling ideas it has flying in the air, but there is plenty to appreciate here. Anchored by Rayan Dieudonné’s moving wide-eyed performance, Pardo crafts an engaging film wrapped in mysticism and hope. Kanaval understands that the road that Rico and Erzuile find themselves on is one filled with uncertainty. However, the challenges are far more manageable when they are tackling them together." The film was named to TIFF's annual Canada's Top Ten list for 2023.Pat Mullen
"TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten Includes BlackBerry, Solo, Humanist Vampire"
''That Shelf'', December 6, 2023.

Awards

References

External links

* 2023 films Canadian drama films Luxembourgian drama films Films set in Quebec Films shot in Quebec 2023 drama films French-language Canadian films 2020s Canadian films Black Canadian films {{2020s-Canada-film-stub