Becoming a Queen

Play trailer

Becoming a Queen

2022

1h 29m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Alan Ng

Film Threat

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

Jun 14, 2022

Full Review

Evan Dossey

Midwest Film Journal

Heartfelt and illuminating.

May 30, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Chris Strikes

Director

Joella Crichton

Self

Kenney Coombs

Self

Lou-Ann Crichton

Self

Mischka Crichton

Self

Nneka Elliott

Self

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Being BeBe

100%

%

Being BeBe

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Being BeBe

Maestra

100%

%

Maestra

Watchlist

Going Varsity in Mariachi

94%

%

Going Varsity in Mariachi

Watchlist

Baloney

100%

57%

Baloney

Watchlist

I'm Wanita

100%

%

I'm Wanita

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now