Oh Willy... and This Magnificent Cake!
Ta veličastni kolač! / This Magnificent Cake! / Ce Magnifique Gâteau!
In Dutch, French, Aka and Malinke with Slovenian and English subtitles
An anthology film set in colonial Africa in the late 19th century telling the stories of five 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.
Written and Directed by: Marc James Roels, Emma De Swaef
Photography: Marc James Roels
Art directors: Marc James Roels, Emma De Swaef
Animation: Elodie Poncon, Patricia Sourdès, Iris Alexandre, Mirjam Plettinx, Andreas De Ridder
Sound and Music: Bram Meindersma
Editing: Marc James Roels, Emma De Swaef
Voices: Jan Decleir, Wim Willaert, Goua Grovogui, Gaston Motambe, Angelo Tijssens, Sébastien Dewaele
Producers: Steven De Beul, Ben Tesseur, Koen Vermaanen
Production: Beast Animation, Vivement Lundi !, Pedri Animation
Distribution: New Europe Film Sales
This Magnificent Cake! is an astonishing, sensitive and original stop motion work that eschews time and subtly drifts between reality and illusion as it explores the crushed dreams and lives caused by the disastrous, brutal and inhuman effects of colonialism on both the innocent and guilty, and the good and the awful. With dashes of magic realism, we are placed in a sort of dreamscape where we’re never quite sure where we are, and never quite sure if what the characters are experiencing is real or not. It’s wonderfully disorientating.
Chris Robinson, Animation World Network
Awards (selection):
- Official Selection Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2018
- Special Jury Mention at TIFF, 2018
- Best Feature Film Grand Prix at Animafest Zagreb, 2018
- Prix André Martin at Annecy International Animated Film Festival, 2018
- Audience Award, Vila do Conde International Short Film Festival, 2018
- Anim'est Trophy at Bucharest Anim'est film festival, 2018
- Feature Film Grand Prix at Ottawa Animation Film Festival, 2018
- BIAF Grand Prize, Bucheon International Animation Festival, 2018
- Feature Film Grand Prix at New Chitose Airport Festival, 2018
Oh Willy…
Forced to return to his naturist roots, Willy bungles his way into noble savagery.