“Kidnapping Inc.”: A Darkly Comedic Thriller anchored โคin Haitiโs Turbulent Reality
Set againstโ the backdrop โขof Haitiโs political chaos andโ societal struggles, โฃ Kidnapping Inc., the debut feature film by Franco-Haitianโฃ filmmaker Bruno Mourral, is set โto hit theatersโข in Quebec and across Canada on February 7, 2025. This Franco-Canadian co-production, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival โin January 2024 and won theโฃ audience โคaward atโข the โค Fantasia Festival, isโ a bold blend of โblackโค comedy and political thriller.
The film follows two bumbling kidnappersโข who โinadvertently become entangled in a complex political conspiracy. Inspired by the rising phenomenon of kidnappings in Haiti, Kidnapping Inc. is โa poignant “road movie” that balances realistic grit with dark humor. Mourralโs storytelling is deeply โrooted in real events, โคoffering โขa raw yet humorous portrayal of a nation on the brink of collapse. โค
โThis film is close to my heart, because many friends and parents suffered from violence โฃand corruption in the โคcountry,โ Mourral shared.โthe film is a tribute to the strength and courage of my Haitian compatriots, but also toโฃ their sense of humor, which has the power to heal and โperhaps bring a little light in thisโค dark period.โ
The film stars Gessica Gรฉnรฉus (Freda), alongside the charismatic duo Jasmuel โAndri and Rolaphton Mercure. Shot โprimarily in Creole, withโ French making up โฃ15-20% ofโฃ the dialog, Kidnapping โInc. โค aims to amplify the voices โขof the Haitian people, frequentlyโ enoughโ overlooked in theโข narrative of a nation torn by political corruption, gang violence, and international interference.
The production itself wasโฃ not without challenges. Filmingโ in Haiti during a period of intense political instability, โฃthe crew faced real-life dangers that mirrored the filmโs themes. The abduction โof three technical team members and the assassination of โHaitiโs president forced unavoidableโ pauses in production.
The Quebec creative team includes Arthur โฃTarnowski (Drunk Birds, until decline) โคasโข editor and Olivier โขAlary โ(The Night of Kings, Felix and Meira) as composer.Produced by Peripheria in collaboration withโฃ Promenade films and BHM โFilms, the filmโs post-production wasโ largely completed โคin Quebec.
| โ Keyโค Details | | โ
|——————|–| โ
| Director | Bruno Mourral |
| Release Date | Februaryโฃ 7, 2025 โค|
| Languages | Creole, Frenchโ |
| Genre | Black Comedy, Political Thriller |
| Production Companies | Peripheria, Promenade โFilms, BHM films |โค
Kidnapping Inc. is more than just a film; itโs a โtestament to Haitiโsโข resilience and cultural richness. As Mourralโ puts it,โ the movie is a party of the Haitian spirit, offering a fresh and authentic viewpoint on worldwide themes. โ
Donโt miss the chance to experience this powerful story whenโ it premieres nextโ month. Watch the official trailer here.