Panic at the Village

Last night we watched the very funny and imaginative stop-motion feature Panique au village

(A village called panic is the english title). The movie was written and directed by Belgian creative duo 

Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar, who also provided voiceovers for two of the main characters,

Cowboy and Horse (the other is Indian). Aubier and Patar met in art school, and have been working together

since the late 1980s. Panique au village is the spinoff of their successful tv series by same name, 

whose 20 episodes aired in Belgium between 2001 and 2003.

I loved the low-tech, low-budget, DIY feel of the animation and mad plot, which kept reminding me

of the endless adventures I had as a child with the aid of Barbies and plastic presepe figurines,

and more recent incredible stories staged by my daughters and friends using their toys. 

At the same time, the scenes are rich with amusing, lovingly crafted details: above you can admire

the entrance to the music school and the car of music teacher and Horse's paramour Madame Longrée.

The fast-paced story is full of crazy twists and hilarious gags, including trips to the center of the earth, 

brick stealing underwater creatures and a huge mechanical penguin guided by mad scientists.

If you enjoy out of bounds creativity, absurdist humour and childlike aesthetics, it's an exciting ride!