A TOWN CALLED PANIC (PANIQUE AU VILLAGE)

2009 | Belgium | French with English Subtitles | 75min | 35mm | G
Stop Motion, Comedy, Children

Directors: Stéphane Aubier & Vincent Patar
Writers: Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Vincent Tavier, Guillaume Malandrin
Cinematographer: Jan Vandenbussche
Editor: Anne-Laure Guégan
Sound designer: Valène Leroy

Animated plastic toys like Cowboy, Indian and Horse have problems, too. Cowboy and Indian's plan to surprise Horse with a homemade birthday gift backfires when they destroy his house instead. Surreal adventures take over as the trio travel to the center of the Earth, trek across frozen tundra and discover a parallel underwater universe where pointy-headed (and dishonest!) creatures live. Each speedy character is voiced - and animated - as if their very air contains both amphetamines and laughing gas. With panic a permanent feature of life in this papier mâché town, will Horse and his girlfriend ever be alone?

Official site: http://www.paniqueauvillage.com/

• Official Selection at 2009 Cannes Film Festival

. “Imagine the Toy Story franchise infused with the mischievous sensibility of South Park and crafted in meticulous stop-motion animation” – Screen Daily

“…proves you don't need fancy CGI techniques, 3-D, or stunt voice casting to make a sparkly little gem.” – Variety

“Absolutely brilliant.” – The Hollywood Reporter