Becoming a Queen

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Becoming a Queen

2022

1h 29m

Documentary

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6 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

A shy high school student who blossomed into a genuine star at her community's biggest event, Joella Crichton learned how to perform in front of crowds of thousands. In her community, she is a rock star of sorts. Carnival is a deeply important event, and its Queen is revered. Building on backstory from Joella's childhood and family background, this film will give viewers an in-depth personal perspective into the building of a Queen. But it will also emphasize and celebrate the intricate details that go into preparing for the competition and building the elaborate costumes; the history of the competition and Carnival in Toronto; Black and Caribbean-Canadian identity; and the fact that Caribbean communities do not hold the same narrow and exclusive standards of beauty as Europe and North America do.

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Marc Glassman

POV Magazine

Becoming a Queen is worth seeing but I can’t help thinking that a better—more hard-hitting– film about Caribana is waiting to be made.

Feb 15, 2023

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Courtney Small

That Shelf

A fitting celebration of one woman’s impact on a community, Becoming a Queen is worthy of its crown.

Jul 21, 2022

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Rachel Ho

Exclaim!

Becoming a Queen gives audiences a glimpse behind the curtain of one of Toronto's most well-known events.

Rated: 6/10

Jul 20, 2022

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Anne Brodie

What She Said

The nerve-shattering ups and downs of building the costume, visualizing the event, and bringing together all the myriad details to make it real, leading to a benchmark moment, make this an eye-popping, provocative doc.

Jul 19, 2022

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Alan Ng

Film Threat

Watch Becoming A Queen. It will open your world in exciting and beautiful ways.

Jun 14, 2022

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Evan Dossey

Midwest Film Journal

Heartfelt and illuminating.

May 30, 2022

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Chris Strikes

Director

Joella Crichton

Self

Kenney Coombs

Self

Lou-Ann Crichton

Self

Mischka Crichton

Self

Nneka Elliott

Self

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Synopsis

A shy high school student who blossomed into a genuine star at her community's biggest event, Joella Crichton learned how to perform in front of crowds of thousands. In her community, she is a rock star of sorts. Carnival is a deeply important event, and its Queen is revered. Building on backstory from Joella's childhood and family background, this film will give viewers an in-depth personal perspective into the building of a Queen. But it will also emphasize and celebrate the intricate details that go into preparing for the competition and building the elaborate costumes; the history of the competition and Carnival in Toronto; Black and Caribbean-Canadian identity; and the fact that Caribbean communities do not hold the same narrow and exclusive standards of beauty as Europe and North America do.

Director: Chris Strikes
Screenwriter: Chris Strikes
Production Co: Callowgrove Entertainment
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 14, 2022
Runtime: 1h 29m

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