Enter the world of Belgian animators who can't ignore the country's rich pictorial tradition: from pioneer Raoul Servais to younger artists who continue his legacy.
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Belgium’s relationship with animation is anything but boring. Just as the country’s politics, its artistic output is lively and often surrealist. Today, animators like Emma de Swaef & Marc Roels continue a long-standing Belgian tradition of surrealism, magic realism and absurdism, without ever losing focus of profound human emotions. And it only seems like yesterday when the late Raoul Servais pioneered the medium in Belgium in the sixties, initiating a separate department for animation film at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent – a first for continental Europe.
Belgium loves to experiment, not just with fries and waffles. In the previous century, artists dabbled with “Ride” movies, 3D projections, and the interplay between live-action and animation. Brussels was once the capital of European animation, housing the largest animation film studio in Western Europe. Despite the country’s modest size, it has produced many a great animation film auteur, who went on to garner acclaim around the world – it feels almost surreal Hollywood has never made a call.
Yet, the Belgian animation scene is notoriously hard to pin down. At first glance, nobody seems to have anything in common … But put two and two together and the connections become apparent: a passion for graphic art deeply rooted in Belgium’s rich pictorial tradition (thank you, Flemish Masters), a nostalgic return to traditional techniques (especially stop-motion), and humour. Lots of humour, preferably of the most absurd kind. And of course, surrealism is never far from the party, and why would it be? After all, the surrealist art movement practically originated in Belgium. Or did anyone forget about René Magritte and his pipe?
Belgium In the Picture
Belgian animation filmmakers like to draw on the country’s rich pictorial tradition: from the world-revered Flemish Masters to the pioneers of surrealism and magic realism. In this programme, films by the godfather of Belgian animation, Raoul Servais, enter into dialogue with work by younger artists who move with ease between the worlds of illustration, painting and animated film.
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A chromophobe army invades a harmless town, wiping all colour out. Luckily, resistance appears in the shape of a scarlet jester who restores the reign of colour using his chromatic trickery. Chromophobia - an unmistakable and universal political allegory - meant Raoul Servais' international breakthrough and is a prime example of his antimilitarism that emerged as one of the key themes throughout his work.
One night, Reine, a young loner, sees within the urban choas a mystical oneness that seems alive, like some sort of guide. A collaborative effort with - among others - Belgian cartoonist Brecht Evens, Genius Loci is an elusive trip, ripe with influences, that draws you in like few short films do.
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In the heart of a dark forest, two silhouettes meet, attract and repel each other in an explosive bridal parade. Hold Me Tight is a dark, sensual portrayal of sexual pleasure.
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A moth leads u to the waiting room of a night-time station where a surreal sketch takes place. The first and last film to be made in its entirety in 'Servaisgraphy' (a technique to blend live-action with animation), Nocturnal Butterflies is inspired by the work of Belgian painter Paul Delvaux. A unique piece of animation history, crafted by the godfather of Belgian animation.
In this animated miniature, a drawing gradually comes to life before our eyes, telling a story not only of a wild boar on the run, but also of the ways people have occupied places that used to belong to nature. Animator Nicolas Piret uses a single sheet of paper to tell this meticulously crafted short.
Using organic animation techniques, animator, illustrator and painter Rocío Álvarez goes on a poetic journey through the history of sex, which has long ignored and repressed the female pleasure. A journey from our cellular past to our Tinder present.
Have Noah and Darwin overlooked something? Could it be we are not the greatest form of evolution after all? Aboard the Lying Angel, the party of the most succesful liars is getting out of hand. Who survives the Homo Sapiens? Honouring and mocking human evolution (and its art), The Lying Angel is a political commentary about the possible demise of our species.
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Set to music by Danny Elfman from his album Rabbit and Rogue, the award-winning short Urge follows the epic and tumultuous flight of a small ladybird.
Kaboom Animation Festival is the one-stop-shop for the latest and greatest in all things animated. Ranging from cutting-edge experimental arthouse to colorful stories for families and kids, Kaboom will cater to the animation needs of all. Yes, even yours, my amazing weirdo friend!
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