Talent agency WME recently announced the signing of acclaimed Haitian filmmaker Bruno Mourral. Known for his exceptional work in the industry, Mourral's first feature film, 'Kidnapping Inc.,' is set to make its debut at this year's Sundance Film Festival. The captivating thriller, which Mourral wrote, directed, and produced, takes place in Port-au-Prince and tells the story of two bumbling kidnappers who stumble upon a political conspiracy while attempting a routine abduction job.
Scheduled to premiere on January 22 as part of the festival's Midnight section, 'Kidnapping Inc.' has already generated significant buzz. Handling the film's distribution will be XYZ, a renowned production and sales company, while press efforts will be spearheaded by Erik Bright from Prodigy PR.
Interestingly, the production of 'Kidnapping Inc.' faced its own harrowing turn of events. Three crew members were actually kidnapped at gunpoint during filming in Haiti, with their captors demanding a hefty ransom of $1 million per hostage. Thankfully, the Haitian prime minister intervened and managed to secure their release. Despite the shocking incident, Mourral realizes the significance and irony of such an occurrence, noting that his film serves as a tribute to ordinary Haitians whose lives have been disrupted by abductions, gang violence, and corruption.
For Mourral, 'Kidnapping Inc.' becomes a channel to shed light on the resilience of the Haitian people amidst overwhelming darkness. He sees it as an opportunity to offer a glimpse of hope, even in the face of adversity. The filmmaker, born in 1983, was raised in Haiti before studying film in Paris. After returning to his homeland in 2005, Mourral established a commercial production company that collaborated with various countries across Africa, the Caribbean, and France. His passion for developing the Haitian film industry led him to co-found Muska Films in 2015, aiming to transform the narrative through cinema.
'Kidnapping Inc.' follows Mourral's successful mid-length film, 'Kafou,' which he wrote, directed, and produced in 2017. The film revolves around two men hired to transport an unknown package who find themselves entangled at a crossroads. With these impressive achievements under his belt, Mourral continues to be represented by Anne-Sophie Berthelin at Agence Adequat, ensuring that his talent and vision will be amplified in the global film industry.
Bruno Mourral's storytelling is not only a testament to his creative prowess but also his commitment to highlighting the struggles and triumphs of his home country. As 'Kidnapping Inc.' prepares to captivate audiences at Sundance, it promises to be an impactful and thought-provoking exploration of resilience, adversity, and the human spirit.
