aka Panique au village

So this is what deadpan slapstick surrealist Belgian stop-motion animation looks like. I like it! - Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

Director: Stephane Aubier, Vincent Patar Year: 2009 Running time: 75 mins Censor Rating: PG - Low level violence Belgium/France/Luxembourg Producers: Philippe Kaufmann, Vincent Tavier Screenplay: Stephane Aubier, Guillaume Malandrin, Vincent Patar, Vincent Tavier Photography: Jan Vandenbussche Editor: Anne-Laure Guagan Animators: Stephane Aubier, Marion Charrier, Zoe Goetgheluck, Florence Henrard, Vincent Patar Music: Dionysos, French Cowboy

In French with English subtitles CinemaScope

Voices: Stephane Aubier (Cowboy), Jeanne Balibar (Mrs Longray), Veronique Dumont (Janine), Bruce Ellison (Indian), Frederic Jannin (Policeman), Bouli Lanners (Postman), Vincent Patar (Horse), Benoit Poelvoorde (Steven)

Festivals: Cannes (Out of Competition), Karlovy Vary, Toronto 2009

Based on a cult Belgian TV series that centres around three kids toys, this crudely animated stop-motion flight of surreal lunacy was expanded to feature length and went on to win over Cannes and critics worldwide. Without a doubt the nuttiest film in the Incredibly Strange section, the weirdness centres on three figurines named Cowboy, Indian and Horse who all share a house in a rural town that is plagued by strange occurrences. A decision to surprise Horse with a barbeque sets off a deranged series of events as the plastique-fantastique trio embark on a journey of unparalleled oddness involving: a giant snowball-throwing penguin robot; horse love; parachuting cows; and an underwater universe of pointy-headed miscreants. The incredible inventiveness of creators Stephane Aubier and Vincent Patar keeps you transfixed throughout its brief running time. Well, that and a big fat doobie beforehand probably wouldn't hurt either. - AT

Session Times

Sat 17 Jul 5:15pm Rialto Newmarket

Sun 18 Jul 12:00pm Rialto Newmarket