Hilarious Haitian Heist: ‘Kidnapping Inc.’ Mixes Laughs with Real-Life Struggles

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After a four-year delay due to unfortunate incidents during production, the long-anticipated Haitian action-comedy Kidnapping Inc. is now in cinemas. Director/co-writer Bruno Mourral pokes fun at the ongoing violence, poverty, and corruption that beset the nation. A title card provides background on the country’s current state, highlighting deep-rooted social, economic, and racial disparities. The practice of kidnapping for ransom is common. The film manages to elicit laughs by lampooning a dire and serious issue while depicting the hurdles ordinary citizens face in their struggle to survive.

Bumbling Gangsters

In 2017’s film Kafou, Mourral initially presented the inept and clumsy gangsters, Doc (Jasmuel Andri) and Zoe (Rolapthon Mercure). The narrative resumes with this duo in a rural area near Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. Despite their attempts, they struggle to close the car trunk which contains a restrained, squirming man with a hood over his head. Zoe informs Doc about the challenges in his love life and an odd recurring dream. However, instead of silencing the annoyed victim as intended, his punch only worsens the situation.

They stand there in shock, gazing at the lifeless body as the phone suddenly rings. The “leader” insists they should bring the kidnapped person soon. He has requested $300,000 for the safe return of a highly influential man – Ashley Laraque, the son of Benjamin Perralt, a strong senator and current frontrunner in Haiti’s contentious presidential elections. It is later discovered that the deceased is none other than the son of powerful senatorial candidate, Benjamin Perralt.

As I drive through town, a peculiar thought crosses my mind – could the man getting into his car, Patrick (Patrick Joseph), be a spitting image of Perralt’s late son? A hunch worth investigating, I decide to approach them. Little did I know, this encounter would prove pivotal in untangling the web of deceit surrounding Audrey (Anabel Lopez) and her secret lover Eddy (Marcus Boereau). Meanwhile, Audrey and Eddy are frantically racing towards the bank, their hearts pounding with anticipation. As for my companions, Doc and Zoe, they’re reeling from their current predicament, struggling to find a way out. Fate, it seems, has a knack for stepping in at just the right moment.

‘Kidnapping Inc.’ Is a Comedy About a Tragedy

Laugh out loud with Kidnapping Inc., where Andri and Mercure’s bumbling antics create a bigger mess with each foolish move! Their comedic chemistry reveals the duo as more than just ruthless killers – they are victims of a system that breeds desperate actions.

The movie offers an unfiltered view of the harsh realities faced by Haitians, living in a state of constant need for proper housing, clean water, and sustenance. To make matters worse, they must endure relentless fear from both gangs and law enforcement.

Where should honest individuals turn when those in power are corrupt, involved in the mess of failures, and even prey upon the weak themselves, as exemplified by Captain Fritz Bama who falsely presents himself as a champion of justice while abusing his power?

In this context, Captain Fritz Bama is the “Chief” who is exposed as being equally corrupt as the criminals he’s supposed to apprehend. He delights in tormenting those who reject his extortion ring under the guise of offering protection. This tragic situation leaves one wondering: Where can upright people seek refuge when those meant to protect them are also untrustworthy and take advantage of their vulnerability?

Kidnapping Incorporated delves into the troubling racial disparities in Haiti. The affluent, predominantly light-skinned and biracial, occupy the upper class, while Black Haitians predominantly reside in the lower class and are often subjected to mistreatment, anger, and discontent, yet lack effective means of redress beyond resorting to violence against those in positions of power. Figures like Perralt, Audrey, and others with wealth and influence are frequently targeted for ransom, given their financial resources. The kidnapping trade is thriving as a result.

It’s hard not to acknowledge the dismal reality of Haiti while watching “Kidnapping Inc.” Today, violent gangs have overpowered law enforcement, leading the nation. The streets are plagued with murder, rape, and theft as anarchy intensifies an already dire situation. Mourral employs the election storyline to voice the collective frustration of a populace yearning for transformation. Regrettably, some of the film’s team members were abducted, while others lost their lives. Mourral honors them in the credits, but things have only spiraled downward since then.

Finding Humor in an Overstuffed & Grim Narrative

It’s okay not to feel remorseful for finding humor in the darkly comical parts of the movie, “Kidnapping Inc.” This film skillfully uses laughter as a means of coping, especially given its portrayal of Haiti’s challenges. However, Mourral might have been more subtle in his approach, as he seems to cram too many themes into one story when there is already enough on the plate.

In the story “Kidnapping Inc.”, Laura and Patrick are choosing to travel to Miami because they want their baby to be born in America, due to concerns about local hospitals that lack medical supplies and prioritize costly treatments for those who can afford it. This plotline unfolds alongside the kidnapping and election narratives, although the pace becomes somewhat chaotic as events escalate towards an implausible and comical conclusion. However, it’s clear that Mourral is tackling significant issues in the narrative, even if the execution feels over-the-top at times. Kidnapping Inc. manages to keep readers engaged while carrying a heavy emotional weight.

In Haiti, organizations like Save the Children and the Red Cross, which have built a strong reputation, are known for their humanitarian work. Your contributions can make a difference by helping to save lives.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’m excited to share that the captivating movie titled “Kidnapping Inc.” features rich Creole dialogue with English subtitles. This compelling production is a joint effort by Canal+, TV5MONDE, Promenade Films, and more. Get ready to immerse yourself in this unique cinematic experience as it hits theaters on February 7th, distributed by Dark Star Pictures.

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2025-02-07 07:02