Kaveh Nabatian is an Iranian-Canadian director and musician whose filmmaking has brought to life stories from the margins of society and across the world.

His latest film, Kite Zo A (Leave the Bones), is an immersive exploration of rituals in Haiti, co-created with dancers, musicians, fishermen, Vodou priests, among other locals. Set to the poetry of Wood-Jerry Gabriel, Leave the Bones is a celebration of the complex and beautiful spirit of the island.

Leave the Bones is a visual and emotional journey through Haiti. It does so without showing images of the harsh realities the country and its people have been living in for years. Instead, Nabatian offers up a film that is musical and lyrical in every way.

From the visuals to the sounds, Leave the Bones serves as a visual poem for the people of Haiti and the richness of their culture.

Nabatian & I caught up recently to talk about his career, Leave the Bones, and other upcoming projects.

Leave the Bones will be screening in Toronto at the Canadian Film Festival March 19, 2024. Visit canfilmfest.ca for screening details and tickets.