London teenage band takes centre stage in new documentary premiere at Forest City Film Festival

Three H.B. Beal Secondary School students are taking their growing music career to stages across Canada, and now to the big screen.

Thunder Queens, a punk rock band featuring Grade 11 and 12 students Violet Bruneel, Clara Magnan and Lola Good, have already achieved the kind of success that many established musicians aspire to. The trio has toured Canada and shared bills with major artists including Sheryl Crow, The Beaches, Sloan and 54-40.

Earlier this year, Thunder Queens recorded their second studio album, Deep Below, in Toronto with Grammy-winning producer Dave Schiffman, whose credits include work with Smashing Pumpkins and Alanis Morissette. During a recent appearance on CBC Radio’s Q with Tom Power, Power described Deep Below as one of the best new records of the year.

Now, their journey is the subject of a new documentary, Thunder Queens, which recently celebrated its world premiere at the Forest City Film Festival. The film explores the band’s story while highlighting women in music, the importance of community and the potential of today’s youth.

Students and staff from Beal attended the premiere, where the film was met with standing ovations.

"It was an unforgettable evening filled with emotion, tears and laughter," said Andrew Parr, a teacher at Beal and staff lead for the school's Rock Band Club. "Lola, Violet and Clara are navigating this exciting journey with immense grace and maturity, and we are so fortunate to have them as Raiders! In this film they show us that their generation is to be heard and respected. I left the theatre bursting with pride and grateful to be a part of the Thunder Queens community. I encourage everyone to go see the film – you will leave inspired!"

On top of their incredible music career as Thunder Queens, Violet, Clara and Lola are also dedicated students at H.B. Beal Secondary School, where they participate in the school band as well as a number of other extracurriculars and are currently considering post-secondary education pathways in music.

Thunder Queens' accomplishments showcase the remarkable creativity and talent of Thames Valley students and demonstrate what young people can achieve when passion, opportunity and community come together.