The Smile Club

he 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 humor, theatricality, and striking movement to create a bold, emotional experience.

  • Brittney Canda
    Director
  • Kyra Jean Green
    Writer
  • Tara Mcgowwan-Ross
    Writer
  • Samuel Caron
    Producer
  • Monse Muro
    Producer
  • Alex Carlos
    Key Cast
  • Charles-Alexis Desgagnés
    Key Cast
  • Marco Édouard
    Key Cast
  • Geneviève Gagné
    Key Cast
  • Kyra Jean Green
    Key Cast
  • Janelle Hacault
    Key Cast
  • Sara Harton
    Key Cast
  • Emmanuelle Martin
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Other
  • Genres:
    Dance, Horror
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 30, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    70,000 CAD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English, French
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • FIFA
    Montreal
    Canada
    World Permire
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Brittney Canda

Brittney Canda is a Montreal-based director, choreographer, editor, and dancer whose work merges contemporary dance with cinematic fiction. Whether she’s directing, choreographing, performing, or editing, Brittney brings a bold, imaginative approach to creating emotionally driven narratives. She co-directed and choreographed Sheenah Ko’s WRAP ME UP, which earned a UK Music Video Award for Best Choreography, a nomination for Best Alternative Video, and a Juno nomination. She also co-directed and choreographed Hannorah’s The Drudge, which was presented at Flux in Los Angeles.

Her first directorial collaboration with the dance company Trip the Light Fantastic, TOUCH, won Best Film at Festival Quartiers Danses, and her second film with the company, The Smile Club, continues her exploration of dance as a tool for narrative fiction. As the choreographer for the TV series L’air d’aller, Brittney created movement for each episode, contributing to the show’s distinct style, which earned the Student Jury Prize for Best Series at Canneseries.

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