User Reviews

Phylactère Cola might at first seem like a low budget production aimed toward a young public because of the colorfulness of the characters and the sometimes cheesy looking special effects but there is a lot more to it. Phylactère Cola is an exploration of ridiculous fictive and not-so-fictive themes and situations in various and very unique sketches. The originality and exclusiveness of every sketches is yet unmatched from all what I have seen. The actors facial expressions are incredible but always adequate. The filming techniques are unconventional but very effective in creating disorienting effects that applies to the themes.

Phylactère Cola is not your average TV program and it can be disturbing because it criticizes a lot of taboos. Phylactère Cola is a cult series, adored by those who can understand the ingeniousness of it's creators and disliked by those who can't.

Phylactere Cola present some very short sketches using new and very refreshing concepts. Right now you cannot find anything like this on the market. What they create displays sophisticated humor compared to what we are accustomed to seeing. The creators (who I think display genius) do amazing work with very little from both a budget as well as a equipment perspective. Currently focused on production of french canadian media with a sampling of local cultural heritage their appeal can aslo transcend universally. The DVD that I have has been viewed by English canadians and brits, and they loved it! My favorite sketches are the the Evil Knievel parody, Robert the white ninja and also the educational movies that doesn't make any sense. Look for them on the web... or buy the DVD and see for yourself!

I tip my hat to those guys, thanks for many hours of laughter and many more to come!!!

P. Branco

One mistake many people does, is to consider Phylactere Cola a humorist group, a Monthy Python sort of. They're not, so people expectations for them being funny are missing the whole target.

They can be funny at time, but their real goal is to turn graphic novels (and comic books) into full-fledged, special effect packed, and awesomely directed live-action short movies. You don't laugh that much watching Phylactere Cola, but if there's anything artist inside you, then you'll be hypnotized by their Art.

Worth of mention, they also do a lot of good quality, small Sci-Fi sketches, which is almost unheard of from French Canadians artists. They also have a huge tendency for social messages. I don't agree on many of them, but the ways they deliver those messages are purely astonishing.

They form a tight group, in which all members are a critical part of the process. They are 9 (plus two sound-editing/composing helpers), and they do EVERYTHING by themselves. Acting, directing, writing, special effects, make-up, costumes, editing, camera work, etc. Which is, in my opinion, a great accomplishment by itself.

But in this group, I must say I always admired three of them for a specific reason:

Psychopat - the director, is a self-taught movie director with an attitude, and a massive talent. He also won a Gemeau award for direction, an important award in Quebec amongst French Canadian artists.

Boo - easily one of the best silent actors of our time. Not to say he's not good in a speaking part, but his unique way for physical acting will just blow you away.

Carnior - the most truly artistic, best overall comedian of the group. And a lot of charisma, his presence on screen simply shine a great deal.

I don't want to lower the rest of the group, they are all genius, and very talented at movie crafting. Any one leaving the group would hurt so bad the chemistry that it would not be the same anymore.

So, long story short: don't expect a lot of laugh, but be prepared to me mesmerized by their unique over-the-top, artistic universe.

Phylactère Cola has been, and still is, one of the most original demonstration of what can be done with a low budget and a great array of imagination. This kind of humor is not always obvious to many people because of it's absurdity. The Special effects demonstrated on the show are amazing when you consider the quantity and quality of work that is done on every sketch for one weekly episode. This comic book like show seems to be inspired allot by cheesy French movies form the 60's and 70's. These Autodidacts form Québec demonstrate well there talent and Ambition. Too bad they stopped producing the show. Now, allot of copies of lesser quality try to replace the show and take advantage of a hungry public.