Kings of Coke

Set against the unlikely backdrop of Montreal, Canada as the infamous northern party town is engulfed by violence and mayhem, Kings of Coke is a true crime documentary that chronicles the rise of one of North America’s biggest criminal organizations—along with the cops and journalists who relentlessly pursued its three leaders. 

With more robberies than New York or Los Angeles, Montreal emerges in the 1970s as the bank heist capital of North America. Then, a brazen ring of professional bank robbers and thieves moves in to the drug trade, upsetting the traditional power structure. By leveraging the city’s international port and strategic location next to the US border, they begin smuggling cocaine on an epic scale. 

Combining an homage to the classic film noir crime genre with distinct elements of a pulp fiction graphic novel, Kings of Coke tells this virtually unknown story. And while revealing an astonishing cast of real-life underworld characters, it shines new light on the global narcotics trade and how it permeates and corrupts communities around the world. 

The feature documentary film is produced by Michael Kronish and directed by Julian Sher for Connect3 and URBANIA Media. 

Awards

Canadian Screen Awards 2023, Best Documentary Program nominee