Kanaval & talkback session

Kanaval 

Director: Henri Pardo 

2023 / Canada, Luxembourg, 120 mins, (18)

In the mid-1970s, Rico, a 9-year-old Haitian boy, was brutally taken from his native land along with Erzulie, his mother, to a strange planet called Canada. Since their arrival, a distance seems to have grown between mother and son. To regain the love of his mother, Rico will have to understand this New World populated by individuals with strange habits and customs. Fortunately for him, he can count on Kana, his imaginary friend who comes straight out of Haitian mythology.

Cast: Rayan Dieudonné, Penande Estime & Martin Dubreuil

Content Warning: Contains an instance of violence involving a pregnant character, as well as two uses of a racial slur.

Following the screening, Hastings-based facilitator Tola Dabiri (Electric Piers) will lead a post-film talkback, creating a welcoming space to explore the film's themes of displacement, memory, and belonging.

This event is part of Crossroads, a new screening series bringing bold, contemporary Caribbean films to Electric Palace Cinema Hastings. Curated from standout titles at the Trinidad+Tobago Film Festival, each event offers audiences the chance to experience powerful, visually striking stories rarely seen on UK screens.

With support of the BFI Film Audience Network, awarding funds from the National Lottery in order to bring this project to more audiences across the UK.