Simmering with understated tension and atmosphere, Toke Madsen’s graduation film demonstrates a mastery of character subtleties and narrative timing while wrapping it all in classical light and impressionist rendering.

Mano was produced during Madsen’s third year at The Animation Workshop in Viborg, Denmark, and features a soundtrack by Danish beatmaker and producer Telepa-T.

Toke Madsen: “On a slow morning near the outskirts of a Danish city, two brothers learn to take care of themselves.
Due to their neglectful mother, the older brother feels the need to protect his younger sibling from the struggles of a dysfunctional family.”
 
 

 
School: The Animation Workshop
Director: Toke Madsen
Animator: Arthur Stahlschmidt, Katla Gunnarsdóttir, Nicolas Boissiere, Marie Moth Tofting Larsen, Benedikte Meldgaard Hansen
Script: Anne Bomholt, Magnus Merklin Christensen
Set: Cæcilie Fournais Nielsen, Kristina Maria Skau Jepsen, Sara Pezzoni, Alicia Ray Naledi Søderberg, Ivana Hadzhieva, Toke Madsen, Emilio Talib Carius Elmowy.
Concept Artist: Nanna Marie Steffensen & Viðar Thanh Du Karlsson
Film Editor: Toke Madsen, Emilio Talib Carius Elmowy
Rendering: Cæcilie Fournais Nielsen, Kristina Maria Skau Jepsen, Sara Pezzoni, Alicia Ray Naledi Søderberg, Ivana Hadzhieva, Toke Madsen.

Soundtrack: Telepa-T
Sound Engineering, Mix And Editing: Rasmus Stæhr, Mikkel Juhl

Cast
Older Brother: Ali Hamza
Younger Brother: Adem Hamza
Mother: Anika Weston
The Man: Kasper Kruse