Mumbo Jumbo

Synopsis

Mumbo Jumbo is a sumptuously photographed fairy tale of contemporary culture in the classic tradition of Gulliver and Alice in Wonderland.

Meet Thomas Doubting, a total loser. He can't sell his songs. He can't get a job. He's been evicted. His girlfriend dumped him. Even his dog ran away. With nothing left to live for, he decides to end it all, but he can't even do that right. In the process, he meets a mysterious old fellow who gives him a magic amulet, as if that's going to help. But then Thomas notices a headline in a newspaper the guy leaves behind - a large reward is being offered for the return of the beautiful Princess Vanilla to the land of Sinmouth. So it's off to Sinmouth in search of the Princess and his fortune.

Once there he meets a cast of Oz-like characters who believe Thomas is the next 'Mumbo Jumbo', a mythological Sprite from the sixth century who's been summoned to free them from the tyranny of an evil businessman, Mr Bounder. Bounder has kidnapped many of Sinmouth's villagers, ruined the town, and imprisoned the Princess herself. His intent is to build a financial empire on organic, high-yield fertiliser made from the remains of his fellow villagers. Thomas's work is cut out for him as he muddles and stumbles his way through the magic land on his quest to save the Princess and the world - or at least a mythological part of it.

Details

Year

2001

Type of film

Features

Running Time

84 mins

Format

35mm Fuji

Director

Steve Cookson

Producer

Margit Bimler

Executive Producer

Margit Bimler

Editor

Julian Doyle

Screenwriter

Richard Mathews

Director of Photography

Nina Kellgren

Sound

David Howman

Music

Andre Jacquemin

Principal Cast

Jamie Walters, Joss Ackland, Richard O’ Brien, Brian Blessed, Melinda Messenger

Genre

Production status

Complete

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Last updated 26th November 2005