In Persona: Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo (Lyon)

Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo is a filmmaker and animator as well as a dancer. He successfully combines both passions in his cinematic works. His animations are characterised by a special precision that can only come from someone who has given a lot of thought to the meaning of movement. The theme of non-verbal communication runs through all his work.

Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo studied animation at the École Emile Cohl in Lyon, France. After his first short film success ‘The Heart is a Metronome’ (2007) and a collaboration with the programme “Karambolage” on ARTE TV (2011), Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo directed ‘The Sense of Touch’ in 2014. He learned sign language to write and direct the short film and collaborated with acclaimed deaf actress Emmanuelle Laborit. The film received international acclaim, winning prizes at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film, the Cinanima Festival in Portugal, the Japan Media Arts Festival, and the Audience Award at the Wiesbaden International Weekend of Animation, among others. His 2018 film ‘Make It Soul’ is a tribute to the essence of black American music, bringing Solomon Burke and James Brown back to life. ‘Make It Soul’ was nominated for the César for Best Animated Short Film 2020.

While drawing is Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo’s primary passion, dance has always been part of his mode of expression. ‘Les Mots’, his first choreographed show – a solo for two performers – premiered in early 2017. It is a continuation of his work on non-verbal communication.

Tickets on: https://www.innenstadtkinos.de/programm-und-tickets/festival.html