An independent Canadian film that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last September and has been receiving all kinds of critical and audience acclaim ever since will be receiving a limited theatrical release this week, including right here in Campbell River tonight (May 4).
The Rainbow Kid is a coming-of-age story that follows Eugene, a young man with Down syndrome, whose obsession with rainbows acts as an escape from his real life. Eugene is bullied at school, the girl he likes doesn’t notice him, and his mother is terminally ill. Worse, he discovers that he and his mom are on the verge of being evicted.
Eugene decides to take matters into his own hands and sets out to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, taking audiences on an unconventional road trip that, based on the reception the film has been getting, they’ve certainly been enjoying it.
The film was not only an official selection at TIFF last year, as well as Canada Film Fest, it also won Best Feature Film at the Hamilton Film Festival, was selected to be screened at this year’s Beijing International Film Festival and has been receiving glowing reviews all over the world.
Dylan Harman, who plays Eugene, won Best Actor at the Hamilton Film Festival and was nominated for an ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) award for Outstanding Performance – Male for his portrayal of Eugene in The Rainbow Kid, nominated alongside the likes of Christopher Plummer and Kevin Hanchard of Orphan Black.
The Campbell River screening of The Rainbow Kid is 7 p.m. tonight at the Landmark Cinema on Dogwood Street.