''An endearing story of trauma and displacement''- Cineuropa
''An engaging film wrapped in mysticism and hope'' - That Shelf
''Compelling'' - A Little Birdie Told Me
Rico (
Rayan Dieudonné) is a curious boy, living with his mother Erzulie (
Penande Estime) on the coast of Haiti in 1975. During an annual celebration, he slips out into the night to witness legends come to life and revellers.
We see Kanaval from the point-of-view of Rico, as a blending together of real and magical moments. Everything is exuberant and fascinating, until he returns home to find his mother being attacked.
Migrating to safety in Canada. While Rico tries to make sense of the snowy province, and racist bullies all around, he’s unable to grasp why his mother, is becoming distant from him.
So he does what many six-year-olds do, and conjures up an imaginary friend, Kana (
Tyler Epassy), from Haitian myth, who becomes his guide to figuring out the alien world he’s found himself in.