This film will be presented during the La Nuit de la danse event on March 21st, 2025 at Théâtre Outremont.
The Smile Club is a kitschy horror narrative told through contemporary dance and physical theatre. The film is inspired by an alleged post-war experiment in Budapest that sought to combat despair by enforcing happiness through artificial smiles. It follows a group of participants subjected to a sinister treatment where grotesque rituals and forced joy become tools of control. What begins as an optimistic program quickly unravels into a surreal nightmare of oppression. As tensions rise, the participants begin to rebel, creating fleeting moments of chaos and defiance. Inspired by old musicals and 90s asylum films, The Smile Club blends dark humour, theatricality, and striking movement to create a bold, emotional experience.
Choregraphed by Kyra Jean Green.
In the presence of director Brittney Canda on March 21st in Montreal.
The Smile Club is a kitschy horror narrative told through contemporary dance and physical theatre. The film is inspired by an alleged post-war experiment in Budapest that sought to combat despair by enforcing happiness through artificial smiles. It follows a group of participants subjected to a sinister treatment where grotesque rituals and forced joy become tools of control. What begins as an optimistic program quickly unravels into a surreal nightmare of oppression. As tensions rise, the participants begin to rebel, creating fleeting moments of chaos and defiance. Inspired by old musicals and 90s asylum films, The Smile Club blends dark humour, theatricality, and striking movement to create a bold, emotional experience.
Choregraphed by Kyra Jean Green.
In the presence of director Brittney Canda on March 21st in Montreal.
| Director | Brittney Canda |
| Director of Photography | Antoine Ryan |
| Music director | Pascal Champagne |
| Choreography | Kyra Jean Green |
| Cast | Kyra Jean Green, Janelle Hacault, Sara Harton, Emmanulle Martin, Alexandre Carlos, Geneviève Gagné, Marco Édouard, Charles-Alexis Desgagnés |
| Music | Pascal Champagne, Meg Contini, Mackenzie Jordan, Steve Lavery, Sally Sharr |
Session
• Théâtre Outremont
Friday, march 21, 2025, 07:00 p.m. — 10:07 p.m.
Production
Kyra Jean Green
Kyra Jean Green is a Canadian-American choreographer and filmmaker, founder of Trip The Light Fantastic, a Montreal-based dance company that explores the human psyche and societal stigmas through contemporary dance and multimedia arts.
Kyra has choreographed and co-produced three acclaimed dance films. The Man Who Travelled Nowhere in Time (2019) was presented at over 30 international festivals. She co-created Touch (2020) and The Smile Club (2023) with director Brittney Canda, fusing their creative visions to produce emotionally rich works. The Smile Club, a kitschy, horrific dance film supported by CALQ, criticizes society’s obsession with artificial happiness through bold choreography and dark humor.
A graduate of The Juilliard School (B.F.A. 2006), Kyra began her career by winning the Hubbard Street II choreographic competition and presenting her work at the Kennedy Center. She founded Trip The Light Fantastic in 2017, with a notable launch at Montreal’s Festival Quartiers Danses, where she received the Prix Coup de Cœur in 2016, 2018 and 2020.
Her company has performed internationally, including in Panama, Denmark, Portugal and New York. In 2021, she was the resident dance company at C2 Montréal, a world-renowned arts and technology event.
Kyra’s work in both film and live performance reflects her commitment to social change. She uses dance and storytelling to challenge perceptions and inspire audiences worldwide.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
Kyra has choreographed and co-produced three acclaimed dance films. The Man Who Travelled Nowhere in Time (2019) was presented at over 30 international festivals. She co-created Touch (2020) and The Smile Club (2023) with director Brittney Canda, fusing their creative visions to produce emotionally rich works. The Smile Club, a kitschy, horrific dance film supported by CALQ, criticizes society’s obsession with artificial happiness through bold choreography and dark humor.
A graduate of The Juilliard School (B.F.A. 2006), Kyra began her career by winning the Hubbard Street II choreographic competition and presenting her work at the Kennedy Center. She founded Trip The Light Fantastic in 2017, with a notable launch at Montreal’s Festival Quartiers Danses, where she received the Prix Coup de Cœur in 2016, 2018 and 2020.
Her company has performed internationally, including in Panama, Denmark, Portugal and New York. In 2021, she was the resident dance company at C2 Montréal, a world-renowned arts and technology event.
Kyra’s work in both film and live performance reflects her commitment to social change. She uses dance and storytelling to challenge perceptions and inspire audiences worldwide.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
Touch (2020)
The Man Who Travelled Nowhere in Time (2019)
The Man Who Travelled Nowhere in Time (2019)
Brittney Canda
Brittney Canda is a Montreal-based director and choreographer known for her innovative fusion of dance, film and theater, creating narratives that are both visually captivating and emotionally poignant. Her work often explores themes of the absurd and human vulnerability, using movement as a powerful narrative tool.
Brittney’s choreography for Sheenah Ko’s “Wrap Me Up” won Best Choreography at the UK Music Video Awards in 2020, outshining large-scale productions. She also co-directed the clip, which received a Juno nomination for Clip of the Year and was selected as a Staff Pick by Vimeo.
In 2023, Brittney’s choreography contributed to the success of the TV series L’air d’aller, which won the Student Award for Best Short Series at the Canneseries.
Her first film as director, the dance film “Touch”, created in collaboration with Kyra Jean Green and her company Trip The Light Fantastic, was awarded Best Film at the Festival Quartiers Danses in 2020 as well as Best Experimental Film at Bucharest Shorts.
Brittney has also worked as a choreographer and movement director on music videos for renowned artists such as Céline Dion, The Barr Brothers and Wintersleep. Her interdisciplinary approach continues to push the boundaries of contemporary storytelling, making a lasting mark on many artistic genres.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
Brittney’s choreography for Sheenah Ko’s “Wrap Me Up” won Best Choreography at the UK Music Video Awards in 2020, outshining large-scale productions. She also co-directed the clip, which received a Juno nomination for Clip of the Year and was selected as a Staff Pick by Vimeo.
In 2023, Brittney’s choreography contributed to the success of the TV series L’air d’aller, which won the Student Award for Best Short Series at the Canneseries.
Her first film as director, the dance film “Touch”, created in collaboration with Kyra Jean Green and her company Trip The Light Fantastic, was awarded Best Film at the Festival Quartiers Danses in 2020 as well as Best Experimental Film at Bucharest Shorts.
Brittney has also worked as a choreographer and movement director on music videos for renowned artists such as Céline Dion, The Barr Brothers and Wintersleep. Her interdisciplinary approach continues to push the boundaries of contemporary storytelling, making a lasting mark on many artistic genres.
Biographical notes provided by the film production team
Eve Parker Finley FALL INTO ME, (2024)
Hannorah THE DRUDGE, (2023)
Trip the Light Fantastic TOUCH, (2022)
Sheenah Ko WRAP ME UP, (2020)
Sheenah KO SEE YOU, (2020)
Hannorah THE DRUDGE, (2023)
Trip the Light Fantastic TOUCH, (2022)
Sheenah Ko WRAP ME UP, (2020)
Sheenah KO SEE YOU, (2020)
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