Drehbuch:
Marguerite AbouetBesetzung:
Aïssa Maïga, Jacky Ido, Eriq Ebouaney, Diouc Koma, Djedje Apali, Claudia Tagbo, Pascal N'Zonzi, Tatiana Rojo, Binda Ngazolo, Sabine Pakora, Tella KpomahouInhalte(1)
Against the colorful and spirited backdrop of the Ivory Coast in the 1970s, Aya of Yop City is a vibrant, beautifully animated film. From teen romance to parental tribulations, it offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of Africans, and is adapted from a best-selling series of graphic novels. Aya is 19, and she loves her neighborhood of Yop City in Abidjan, where everyone knows each other. It is always lively, with open markets, colorful fabrics, funky cafés and of course, music everywhere. Her mom Fanta is the neighborhood’s most trusted healer. Her dad is a sales rep for a brewery, and certainly gets his fill of the product. While Aya has dreams of becoming a doctor, her two best friends, Adjoua and Bintou, just like to hang out and spend their evenings dancing, drinking and flirting with boys. Their ambition is to follow plan C: Combs, Clothes and Chasing Men! Big trouble comes to town when Adjoua realizes she’s pregnant. Not to mention when Moussa, the spoiled rotten Sissoko boy finds out he’s going to be a dad! How can he tell his old man, one of the richest and most feared men in the whole country? Aya of Yop City is a gorgeously rendered animated drama that places the Ivory Coast in a shimmering new light. (Kino Lorber)
(mehr)Kritiken (1)
Audiences may be confused by the fact that the main character does not play a crucial role in the story, nor is she the driving force behind the events; in fact, she gradually fades away as the minutes pass. She is merely an observer and a reminder that there can be other life goals and other paths to fulfill them than those chosen by the foolish protagonists of the film. The main attraction is the unexplored exotic environment of Abidjan, the capital of the Ivory Coast, and the portrayal of distinctive characters from one of its neighborhoods. In developing countries, films often have an educational mission alongside their entertaining role, and Aya of Yop City follows this function - it can be seen as a warning against unplanned pregnancy and early marriage. Given the attitudes of the female characters, it is certainly inappropriate to use the epithet feminist in the case of Aya. However, it would be difficult to find a film where men (practically without exception) are depicted in such an unflattering light - as superficial, irresponsible seducers, weaklings, and liars. In addition to the setting, the visual aspect of the film is also one of its advantages. It has a realistic and pleasant drawing style, inspired by French mainstream adult comics. It is not a film for children, nor is it an art or ordinary commercial film. I will raise my rating to four stars this time from three and a half stars. I find the film so likable that I want to help it. Overall impression: 70%.
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