Archive

XL 12

The Benefactors

Christophe LOPEZ-HUICI

Switzerland20229min Asian Premiere

Synopsis

A young man, owner of a cycle-rickshaw, seems to be looking for a patron in a seaside resort during the off-season. Desperate, weary and hungry, he suddenly sees the salvation he has been waiting for in a group of eccentric revelers. But when the group’s demands become increasingly inconvenient, the young man realizes the true cost of his dedication.

Program Note

A young man, living a hand-to-mouth existence, encounters a group that appears to belong to the upper class, and undergoes a bizarre experience. Income inequality, survival of the fittest, and the struggle for survival are the inherent tendencies of a capitalist society. This work depicts the absurdity of a society that accepts any demands as long as compensation is provided, highlighting the inescapable vicious cycle of an unequal world. (Kristin JI)

Diretor

Christophe LOPEZ-HUICI

Christophe LOPEZ-HUICI is a Swiss/French artist who graduated from Parsons School of Design. He lived ten years in New York, six years in London and is currently living in Barcelona. After years working as a freelance illustrator, Christophe finally decided to give animation a try, and produced his first 2d animation short The Christmas Rabbit (2018) all by himself. After a successful run on the festival circuit, he got the opportunity to produce a new short The Benefactors (2022) with the backing of an animation production company.