Based on a cult Belgian TV series that centres around three plastic toys named Cowboy, Indian and Horse, this anarchic, crudely animated stop-motion flight of surreal lunacy is the nuttiest film in our programme.
So this is what deadpan slapstick surrealist Belgian stop-motion animation looks like. I like it!
Screened as part of NZIFF 2010
A Town Called Panic 2009
Panique au village
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 Stéphane 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