The documentary film A Good Student highlights one Mexican Montrealer’s desire to succeed in her francization class.
Karina Garcia Casanova
Born in Mexico, Karina Garcia Casanova is a filmmaker and photographer based in Montréal. Her acclaimed short films have been shown at numerous festivals and institutions. Juanicas, her first feature-length documentary, has garnered numerous awards, including at Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal (honorable mention), Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma, Festival internacional de cine de Guadalajara, Festival Internacional de Documentales de Santiago, and beyond.
With her film A Good Student, Karina Garca Casanova wanted to make a film about her mother, who is originally from Mexico and now a permanent resident in Québec. The film follows Vicky Casanova, a student in Michel’s French immersion class, as she strives to excel. Vicky has lived in Montréal for twenty-five years and is taking the class for about the fourth time. How will she do this time?