New Movies: Kidnapping Inc (2024) by Bruno Mourral

Kidnapping Inc. (2024): A Chaotic, Darkly Comedic Ride Through Haiti's Reality

Description: "Kidnapping Inc." (Original title also "Kidnapping Inc.") is a 2024 Haitian-French-Canadian crime comedy thriller that marks the feature directorial debut of Bruno Mourral. The film thrusts viewers into the chaotic underworld of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where two bumbling, low-level gangsters, Doc (Jasmuel Andri) and Zoe (Rolaphton Mercure), botch a seemingly simple kidnapping. When their high-profile hostage, the son of a presidential candidate, accidentally dies, they must scramble to find a look-alike, plunging them into a frantic, violent, and often darkly humorous misadventure that spirals into a political conspiracy. The film uses its satirical premise to comment on Haiti's pervasive issues of corruption, insecurity, and social inequality.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4726640/

Link Review: https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/kidnapping-inc-sundance-review/5189514.article

About movie: https://darkstarpics.com/kidnapping-inc

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/kidnapping-inc (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/kidnapping-inc (Canada)

Detailed Summary: Set in Haiti in 2017, against a backdrop of political unrest and widespread kidnappings, "Kidnapping Inc." follows Doc and Zoe, two amateur criminals hired to abduct Patrick, the son of leading presidential candidate Benjamin Perralt. The plan quickly unravels when the impulsive Zoe accidentally kills Patrick. Desperate to avoid their ruthless boss's wrath, they stumble upon an ingenious, albeit reckless, solution: kidnap Patrick's exact look-alike, a struggling man named Patrick Joseph, along with his very pregnant wife, Laura (Gessica Généus).

As Doc and Zoe attempt to substitute the look-alike, the situation explodes into a frantic chase through Port-au-Prince. The film introduces a chaotic ensemble of characters, including Patrick's pregnant wife Laura, who desperately wants to give birth outside Haiti, and Audrey (Anabel Lopez), the original victim's girlfriend who tries to manipulate the ransom money with her lover, who in turn colludes with a corrupt police chief. This web of deceit, incompetence, and violence creates a darkly comedic and action-packed narrative that satirizes the systemic corruption and deep-seated social issues plaguing Haiti. The film is a fast-paced, genre-blending ride, full of unexpected twists, slapstick humor, and moments of brutal violence, reflecting the director's unique vision of portraying a painful reality through humor.

Plot Summary:

• Botched Abduction: Two bumbling Haitian gangsters, Doc and Zoe, accidentally kill their high-profile kidnapping victim: the son of a presidential candidate.

• Desperate Cover-Up: To avoid punishment, they attempt to replace the dead hostage with a hapless look-alike and his pregnant wife.

• Chaotic Spiral: The scheme leads to a wild, violent, and darkly comedic chase, entangled in a larger political conspiracy.

• Satirical Commentary: The frantic plot offers a satirical look at Haiti's corruption, instability, and social issues.

Director's Vision: Bruno Mourral's vision for "Kidnapping Inc." is to tackle the grim realities of kidnapping, corruption, and political instability in Haiti through the lens of dark comedy and hyper-kinetic action. As his feature debut, he aims to challenge the typical portrayal of developing countries in cinema by offering an entertaining yet biting social satire. Mourral intends to combine the rawness of films like "City of God" with the dark humor of "Pulp Fiction," using rapid dialogue, slapstick, and intense action sequences to reflect the inherent chaos and resilience of Haitian society. The film is a tribute to the Haitian people's ability to find humor and courage amidst profound adversity.

Themes:

• Social & Political Corruption: Explores the pervasive corruption within institutions in Haiti, from government to law enforcement, and its impact on everyday life.

• The Kidnapping Crisis: Directly addresses the rampant issue of kidnapping in Haiti, portraying its tragic reality but subverting it through dark humor.

• Resilience & Survival: Highlights the resilience of the Haitian people who navigate a society rife with instability and danger, often resorting to unconventional means of survival.

• Dark Comedy as Catharsis: Utilizes humor, even in the face of grim circumstances, as a coping mechanism and a tool for social commentary.

• Justice & Impunity: Touches upon the theme of a justice system that often fails its citizens, leading to a sense of impunity for criminals and a breakdown of order.

Key Success Factors:

• Unique Premise: The film tackles a sensitive and tragic real-world issue (kidnapping in Haiti) through the unconventional genre of dark comedy, making it distinctive and thought-provoking.

• High-Energy Pacing: Its "hyper-kinetic" style, combining action, rapid dialogue, and slapstick, keeps the audience engaged in the chaotic narrative.

• Brave Social Commentary: The film is lauded for its daring approach to satirizing complex socio-political issues, providing a unique perspective on Haiti's reality.

• Strong Lead Performances: Jasmuel Andri and Rolaphton Mercure deliver compelling performances as the bumbling gangsters, anchoring the film's comedic and dramatic elements.

• Authentic Haitian Voice: As one of the few feature films to emerge from Haiti with international distribution, it offers an authentic, local perspective on a global stage.

Summary Short: "Kidnapping Inc." (2024) is a Haitian-French-Canadian crime comedy thriller directed by Bruno Mourral. It follows two hapless gangsters, Doc (Jasmuel Andri) and Zoe (Rolaphton Mercure), who botch a kidnapping and must find a look-alike, leading to chaotic, darkly comedic events intertwined with Haiti's political turmoil. The film premiered at Sundance 2024 and was selected as Haiti's submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar.

Awards and Nominations:

• World Premiere: Sundance Film Festival 2024 (Midnight section).

• Haiti's Official Submission for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards (2025).

• Audience Gold Medal for Best Quebec Film at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival (2024).

• Best Film at the Vevey International Funny Film Festival 2024.

Critics Reception: Critical reception for "Kidnapping Inc." has been mixed to positive, with praise for its ambition and unique tone, but some critiques regarding its narrative coherence and tonal balance.

• Cineuropa (Vladan Petkovic): Was largely positive, describing the film as "a succession of ultra-kinetic set pieces, alternating with rapid dialogue segments that are often almost as entertaining as the car chases, shootouts and occasional slapstick moments." Petkovic highlighted Rolaphton Mercure's comedic chops and Jasmuel Andri's more contemplative performance.

• Variety (Carlos Aguilar): Acknowledged the film's significance as a rare output from Haiti and its daring premise to "address social inequality and the corrosion of institutions by way of a potentially crowd-pleasing work of entertainment." However, Aguilar ultimately felt "the film’s many elements don’t amalgamate" effectively.

• The Playlist (Christian Gallichio): Expressed "frustration" with the film, stating it "just can't help but trip over itself." While acknowledging "two really solid lead performances" and its effective portrayal of "horrific injustice," Gallichio found the film drowned its message under "disparate tones."

• Afrocritik (Jerry Chiemeke): Critiqued the film for "trying to do too much," leading to a "poorly woven plot" and "thinly-developed characters." Chiemeke found the humor not "tasteful enough" and the political insight lacking "wit," resulting in an "anticlimactic finish."

• Overall Summary: Critics are divided on whether the film successfully balances its dark humor and action with its serious socio-political themes. However, there's a general recognition of its ambition and the strength of its lead actors.

Reviews: Reviews emphasize the film's unique blend of genres and its reflection of Haitian reality:

• IndieWire (Siddhant Adlakha): Expressed a more negative view, stating the film "lacks laughs, insight and personal ethos," attributing this to its preoccupation with "throwing as many half-formed jokes and soccer references onto the screen as possible" without carving them into something meaningful.

• MovieWeb: Noted the film "gets big laughs by mocking a terrifying and serious issue while illustrating the difficulties ordinary citizens face to survive." This review highlighted "laugh-out-loud slapstick antics" and effective satire, though finding the narrative sometimes "overstuffed."

• IMDb user reviews: Early audience reactions are generally positive, often praising the film as a "masterpiece" for its bold mix of "Haiti's harsh realities, dark humor, and sharp satire." Many users highlighted its gripping storytelling and immersive experience, calling it a "game-changer for Haitian cinema."

• Overall Summary: The reviews consistently point to "Kidnapping Inc." as a stylistically unique film from Haiti. While some critics found its ambitious blend of tones and messages to be uneven, others lauded its courage and its ability to portray a complex reality through a dynamic, often hilarious, lens.

Production: "Kidnapping Inc. (2024)" is a Haitian-French-Canadian co-production. This crime comedy thriller has a runtime of 107 minutes (1 hour 47 minutes) and is presented in color. It was written by Jasmuel Andri, Bruno Mourral, and Gilbert Jr. Mirambeau, with Bruno Mourral also directing in his feature debut. Production began in 2019 but faced significant delays due to Haiti's political instability, the COVID-19 pandemic, the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and, ironically, the kidnapping of three crew members during filming in 2021. Despite these challenges, shooting was completed in October 2021. The film was primarily shot on location in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, contributing to its raw, authentic atmosphere.

Production Companies:

• Muska Films: (Haiti) - Co-founded by Bruno Mourral, dedicated to developing Haitian cinema.

• Promenades Films: (France)

• Peripheria Productions: (Canada)

• BHM Films: (Haiti)

• Other support from Canal+, TV5Monde, National Centre of Cinematography and Animated Pictures (CNC), Telefilm Canada, Fonds Jeune Création Francophone (FJCF), Fonds Images de la Francophonie, and Société de Développement des Entreprises Culturelles (SODEC).

Sales Companies:

• Filmoption International: (Canada) - Handles international distribution and sales.

Distribution Companies:

• Filmoption International: (Canada/International)

• Dark Star Pictures: (United States) - US distributor for its theatrical release.

Release Date on Streaming: Specific streaming release dates vary by region and are not universally available yet, following its theatrical and festival runs.

Theatrical Release:

• World Premiere: January 22, 2024 (Sundance Film Festival)

• United States: February 7, 2025 (limited theatrical release)

• Canada: August 4, 2024 (Fantasia International Film Festival)

• France: August 29, 2024 (Angoulême Francophone Film Festival)

• Belgium: April 16, 2024 (Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival)

Why You Should Watch This Movie:

• For Its Unique Blend of Genres: "Kidnapping Inc." defies easy categorization, masterfully blending crime thriller elements with dark comedy and biting political satire. This creates a highly unpredictable and engaging viewing experience that keeps you on your toes.

• A Daring Social Commentary: The film courageously tackles the very real and tragic issue of kidnapping and pervasive corruption in Haiti, using humor as a powerful tool to shed light on difficult truths and the resilience of a society facing immense challenges.

• Experience a Fresh Cinematic Voice: As the feature directorial debut of Bruno Mourral, "Kidnapping Inc." introduces a bold new talent from Haitian cinema. His energetic, "hyper-kinetic" style, combined with a unique cultural perspective, offers something truly distinct and rarely seen on the international stage.

• It's a Story of Resilience and Irony: The production itself is a testament to resilience, having faced real-life kidnappings and political turmoil during filming. This layer of meta-narrative adds a profound depth to the film's exploration of finding humor and courage amidst chaos.

• For the Energetic Performances: The lead actors, Jasmuel Andri and Rolaphton Mercure, deliver dynamic performances as the bumbling gangsters. Their chemistry and comedic timing are central to the film's appeal, anchoring the film's comedic and dramatic elements.

Why to Watch Movie:

• If you enjoy dark comedies with a bite: This film offers humor derived from grim realities, similar to "Pulp Fiction" or "City of God."

• To explore unique international cinema: It provides a rare and authentic look at Haitian society through a dynamic, genre-bending lens.

• For a high-energy, fast-paced thriller: The film's constant twists, chases, and comedic mishaps ensure it's never dull.

• To witness an impressive directorial debut: Bruno Mourral's first feature showcases a confident and distinctive directorial style.

• If you appreciate films that blend entertainment with social commentary: "Kidnapping Inc." uses its thrilling plot to shed light on serious socio-political issues.

What Movie Trend Film Is Following: Darkly Comedic Crime Thrillers: The film fits into a trend of crime narratives that infuse violence and serious situations with cynical or absurd humor. It also aligns with social realism blended with genre elements, using a compelling plot to shed light on real-world socio-political issues in specific cultural contexts. The film also represents a growing trend of emerging voices from underrepresented national cinemas gaining international recognition.

What Big Social Trend Is Following: Global Instability & Resilience: The film directly addresses the contemporary issue of widespread insecurity, corruption, and the kidnapping crisis in nations facing political instability, offering a perspective on how communities cope and find resilience amidst chaos. It also speaks to the power of art as commentary, using cinema to confront difficult social realities and highlight human coping mechanisms, including humor, in the face of adversity.

Final Verdict: "Kidnapping Inc. (2024)" is a bold and ambitious feature debut from Bruno Mourral that offers a uniquely Haitian perspective on profound social turmoil through the chaotic lens of dark comedy and a high-octane crime thriller. While its genre-bending ambition and sometimes frenetic pace may divide critics, the film's undeniable energy, strong lead performances, and courageous social commentary make it a significant and memorable cinematic experience. It's a testament to the power of filmmaking to transform painful realities into art that is both entertaining and deeply resonant, establishing Bruno Mourral as a promising new voice in international cinema.

Recommendations for Film Makers:

• Embrace Tonal Boldness: Don't shy away from blending dark humor with serious social commentary, allowing the juxtaposition to create a unique and impactful cinematic voice.

• Leverage Local Authenticity: Utilize unique cultural and socio-political contexts to create narratives that are both specific and universally resonant, offering fresh perspectives.

• Persevere Through Challenges: The film's production story itself is inspiring; filmmakers should be encouraged to tell their stories despite significant obstacles, as personal resilience can imbue the art with deeper meaning.

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Support Emerging National Cinemas: Actively seek out and fund films from countries with limited cinematic output, as these films often offer fresh perspectives and untold stories.

• Recognize Genre-Bending Potential: Appreciate and invest in films that cleverly blend genres (e.g., crime thriller with dark comedy and social satire) to create innovative and engaging narratives.

• Promote Diverse Storytelling: Prioritize projects that reflect diverse global realities, even if challenging, as they enrich the global cinematic landscape and offer vital cultural insights.