SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne praises Fitch Jean’s feature length directorial debit It Comes In Waves for its directing, cinematography, and award-worthy performances.
Awards season is still in full effect, with the Critics Choice and Golden Globe awards in the rear view mirror and the Oscars coming up in March. One awards ceremony which usually falls under the radar in the United States is the Canadian Screen Awards, Canada’s highest awards for film and television. Think the Oscars meets the Emmys. The United States and other international markets might ask they should care. It’s because Canada is having a moment right now when it comes to cinema. With a growing group of top tier actors, compelling stories set in Canada (instead of Canadian cities doubling for the U.S.), and Canadian filmmakers getting cinematic releases on home soil, there’s the feeling that Canada is on the cusp of something big.
As the Canadian Screen Awards nomination round comes to an end tomorrow, we want to highlight one of the outstanding Canadian films released over the past year. Produced by Lenz Films and Zargara Productions, It Comes In Waves is the feature film debut from Ottawa filmmaker Fitch Jean. Yes, Ottawa. While Canada has been boasting a growing roster of young BIPOC filmmakers in recent years, led by Toronto names like RT Thorne, Ron Dias, Karen Chapman, and Reza Dahya, Ottawa has often been lost in the shuffle despite having a history of world class filmmaking.
In fact, the film is a bit of a love letter to Ottawa, from the writers, producers, director, and crew to being the backdrop for this story about a refugee family from Rwanda who have moved to Canada’s capital to start a new life. When tragedy strikes, high school student Akai (Adrian Walters) is forced to step up and take care of his younger sister Zera (Nendia Lewars).
With films like Morningside, Boxcutter, and Village Keeper, providing a glimpse into inner city life in Toronto, it’s about time inner city Ottawa got the same cinematic treatment.
There are a lot of things going right for this film, but none of them are more important than the performance by Adrian Walters (Star Trek: Discovery, The Handmaid’s Tale). He makes his debut as a leading man in the role of Akai, a wise beyond his years teenager who is haunted by his traumatic past. After appearing in a number of supporting roles, Walters takes the leap showing that he’s a very capable lead actor. The on-screen brother and sister dynamic between him and Nendia Lewars is playful and emotionally charged as the pair deliver highly believable performances. With this film, Lewars sets herself apart as a Canadian talent to watch for years to come.
The engaging and well-written screenplay from Fitch Jean and Sammy Mohamed is also brought to life by its supporting performances. Olunike Adeliyi (The Running Man, The Fire Inside) brings some star power and realism in her portrayal of Akai and Zera’s drug addict mother Sonia. Meanwhile, despite very little screen time, Mckenzie Small (Backstage, Grand Army) immerses herself in the character Stacey, a young lady from the streets who, after facing hardships in life, is forced to grow up too soon. With her short but impressive performance, Small takes her place as another Canadian actor with a bright future ahead of her.
Like the other films released by BIPOC filmmakers over the past two years. It Comes In Waves is a step forward for Canadian filmmaking. It’s clear from the story and directing, that Fitch Jean has a unique vision and point of view when it comes to storytelling that is needed in the Canadian cinematic landscape. From its directing and cinematography to award-worthy performances, if you love the craft of filmmaking, and Canadian filmmaking at that, It Comes In Waves is a film to watch.
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter focusing on Black music and film & TV. He was named one of 340 international voters for the Golden Globe Awards and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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