A dreamy and surreal anthology film - fully crafted in felt and wool - that doesn't go soft on Belgium's colonial grip on the Congo.
Perhaps you must be a little bit crazy to explore the loaded history of Belgium's colonial grip on the Congo through feverish meditations in animation. But in the crafty hands of acclaimed stop-motion wizards Emma de Swaef & Marc Roels, it's an idea that led to a brilliant anthology film. Set in late 19th-century Congo, This Magnificent Cake! spins five different stories following a character into the "heart of darkness".
In dreamy vignettes, we see the (mis)adventures of a troubled king, a middle-aged pygmy hotel workers who frequently serves as an ash tray, a disgraced and lonely businessman on an expedition, a wandering porter, and a young army deserter. The film's title is a reference to a quote by Leopold II, who desperately wanted "a slice of the African cake".
De Swaef & Roels have arguably made one of the most important political films in Belgian history. By steering clear from over historical references, they allowed themselves to infuse their mosaic with their trademark surrealism. That might come off as wholly absurd, but it actually produces something which underlines the brutal truth of colonial humiliation. The soft aesthetic - the characters are entirely crafted from felt and wool - contrasts sharply with harsh realities of the subject matter, creating a surreal experience that ultimately points out the complete pointlessness of Leopold II's greed.
This Magnificent Cake! is preceded by a screening of the short film Far Away Lands by Frédéric Hainaut
In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Paul runs a grain mill. This morning, he is feverish, which does not prevent him from grinding grain. The machine's transmission belt breaks and that is a disaster. Paul sends Michel to Sakala to get a new belt. While he is hospitalized, he dialogues with his far away lands. This black-and-white sketch animation by Frédéric Hainaut is inspired by his bike trips with Olivier Coufer through rarely visited villages in the Congo. It gave the duo a feeling of being privileged witnesses, entrusted with the mission of sharing their observations, their impressions, their encounters and the voice of the Congolose in the form an animated film.
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In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Paul runs a grain mill. This morning, he is feverish, which does not prevent him from grinding grain. The machine’s transmission belt breaks and that is a disaster. Paul sends Michel to Sakala to get a new belt. While he is hospitalized, he dialogues with his far away lands.
An anthology film set in colonial Africa in the late 19th century telling the stories of 5 different characters: a troubled king, a middle-aged Pygmy working in a luxury hotel, a failed businessman on an expedition, a lost porter and a young army deserter.
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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