We continue our series of reviews chronicling all of the (non-Studio Ghibli) animated films distributed by GKIDS Films — some of the most original and breathtakingly beautiful animated films from around the world — and how they hold up for a young American audience.

The entire retrospective is found here, and this time we’ve got…

This Magnificent Cake! (2018): Emma de Swaef & Marc James Roels, directors

What’s it about?

This Magnificent Cake! is a quiet – yet brutal – examination of King Leopold II’s Belgian-occupied Congo. The title refers to a quote of Leopold’s: “I do not want to miss a good chance of getting us a slice of this magnificent African cake.” And though European colonialism in Africa might seem to be a somewhat well-known quantity, King Leopold’s specific story is one that’s probably unknown to many. Leopold owned the Congo Free State. It wasn’t governed by the Belgian state at all; he personally owned the colony, and its history is marked by sheer brutality and inhumanity. Some estimates claim the ultimate effect of his “rule” was an astonishing 50% death rate.

Which tracks in This Magnificent Cake!, which portrays a more than 50% death rate among its characters. This short film (less than 45 minutes) is a bit like an anthology, divided up into five sections, each of which focuses on one character’s journey (literal and emotional) through the horrors of Leopold’s colony.

It’s an incredibly quiet, introspective, and dark film that features flat-out gorgeous stop-motion animation. And it’s that dichotomy – the discrepancy between gorgeous visuals and the horrific events they depict – that makes the film so compelling.

What are the cultures at play? And how about the languages?

This Magnificent Cake! can almost be seen as a “slice of life” examination of of 19th century colonialism in West Africa. We see both European colonists and local African people trying – and failing – to make a life for themselves. For an animated film with felt puppets, it’s surprisingly bleak and realistic about peoples’ experiences in King Leopold’s Congo Free State.

The film is a Belgian production, and the languages spoken on screen are French, Dutch, and a West African language that isn’t identified anywhere on the disc or packaging (though some sleuthing reveals that it might actually be two languages: Aka and Maninka). The Blu-ray has English subtitles, but there is no English dub.

Will my kids like it?

Older kids with a historical understanding of African colonialism will appreciate it. Be warned that even though this is an animated film and distributed by GKIDS, it’s not a kids movie. There’s a LOT of death. No gore, but each death is violent and disturbing. And they’re just the tip of the iceberg with respect to disturbing imagery. We see brutal slavery, a decapitated head, a dog thrown out a window, and lots and lots of drunkenness.

The story is also incredibly quiet, slow, and confusing. So… it might not be the best choice for family movie night is what I’m saying.

Will I like it?

The film is gorgeous, and it’s a marvel to watch. But it’s also fairly difficult viewing. The content is designed to make you uncomfortable, and it absolutely succeeds at that. Also, if you know nothing about the history it’s showing, you’ll likely walk away pretty confused.

The slight issue I had with the film is that it felt like I was missing some very obvious subtext. Over 44 minutes, you watch seemingly disconnected stories cross paths and intertwine. Things happen. People die. Stories are told. But when the credits began to roll, I was left with so many questions.

It wasn’t confusion at what happened; rather, it was confusion at why it all happened. Why these people’s stories? What did it all mean? How much was symbolic? Or was this really just a literal narrative of a few random people caught up in King Leopold’s madness?

Is there anything objectionable for young kids?

For really young kids? Probably the whole movie.

How can I see it?

Kino Lorber recently released the film on Blu-ray, and it’s got a small selection of special features, including an interview with co-director Marc James Roels (in English), a behind-the-scenes gallery, the short film Oh Willy… (from 2012 and by the same directors), the short film The Burden (from 2017 and directed by Niki Lindroth von Bahr), and a few trailers. It’s available from all the usual outlets, including Amazon.

Final word?

Give it a chance. At 44 minutes, you really can’t go wrong. And as I said, it’s breathtaking to watch. The felt puppets are totally unique and bizarre, and the animation style somehow seems spot on and perfect for this story.