SYNOPSIS

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Fantastique is a magic-realistic documentary that follows the 14-year old contortionist Fanta in

Guinea Conakry. Fanta juggles between the care for her ailing mother, school and what she loves

the most: training as one of the only girls within an acrobatic group, with the hopes of joining their

next big tour. Trying to bridge all expectations, Fanta starts to doubt what she really wants.

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DIRECTOR'S NOTE

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In 2019, I met the acrobats of Amoukanama Circus, an association based in Guinea and Belgium

that connects African and European circus arts. I was immediately inspired by their mission: creating

unity through diversity. Their stories about Conakry’s vibrant acrobatic tradition—where many young

performers rise from the slums to world-class circuses—deeply moved me.

After several meetings, the group invited me to Guinea. There, I met Fanta—the youngest and only girl

in the troupe, just nine years old. Her discipline, openness, and drive to become an acrobat stood out

immediately. As I spent time with her, I saw the potential for a nuanced film about empowerment.

Fantastique explores emancipation as a complex process shaped by tradition, economics and social

structures. It shows how Fanta gradually finds the strength to question and stand up for herself, while

being at the threshold between childhood and adulthood.

My work often explores youth perspectives, gender, and social inequality in playful yet thoughtful ways.

I believe young people, with their curiosity and imagination, can offer fresh ways of seeing the world -

especially in times of division and prejudice. Creativity and connection are powerful tools for change.

I’ve always been mindful of my role as a white European outsider. Working with a partly Guinean crew

was essential to ensure cultural authenticity and to portray Fanta’s world with accuracy and care.

As Guinean daily life fantasy and reality are often intertwined. The language of the film corresponds

with this reality, Fantastique is a hybrid documentary. Exploring Fanta’s story by blurring documentary

with hints of fiction, the viewer gets immersed in the vivid acrobatic reality of Conakry that can be

magic by times, in which Mami Wata gives Fanta space to find her own voice.

 

CREDITS

 

Genre: Hybrid Documentary

Duration: 71 minutes

Ratio: 2.39:1 - DCI Scope

Countries of production: Belgium, France,

The Netherlands

Format: DCP 2K

Shooting format: 4K

Color: Color

Languages: Sousou / French

Subtitles: English | French | Dutch | Dutch

for deaf and hearing impaired

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Director: Marjolijn Prins

Producer: Ellen De Waele, Mirna Everhard

Co-producers: Florent Coulon & Felix Salgado (FR),

Ineke Kanters & Lisette Kelder (NL),

Anton Iffland Stettner & Eva Kuperman (BE)

Cinematography: Johan Legraie

Editor: Ciska Slowack

Art Director: Aurelie Francois

Composer: Johanna Beaussart

Sound Design: Billy Toure

Sound Edit & Mix: Ivan Broussegoutte

Production company: Serendipity Films (BE)

Co-production company: VraVrai Films (FR), 

The Film Kitchen (NL), Stenola Productions (BE)

Distribution: Gusto Entertainment (NL), Les Films du Préau (FR),

Folkets Bio (SW)

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PRODUCTION/INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS

 

Serendipity Films

fantastique@serendipityfilms.be

+32 499 46 36 95

 

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