JIFF: King Khat

Melech Hahagigat

Australian Premiere 

“Nir Matarasso’s animation is so vividly playful and richly textured, with references from Steampunk to Jan Van Eyk, it’s clever, irreverent, and gorgeous.” - Midnight East

Imagine that you’re a renowned chemist who invents a legal psychoactive drug. Then imagine that you turn your invention into a start-up and become the most notorious drug baron of the 21st century. If all of this is true, how do you make a documentary out of such a wildly unbelievable story? If you’re director Uri Marantz, you animate it using a striking mix of styles, give it an eclectic score, and take the audience on a journey to where academia and tech meet the Haifa underworld.

Made with cutting-edge animation techniques, this trippy and anarchic film tells the true story of Gabi, the Israeli chemist who became the 21st century’s most notorious drug baron after inventing a legal psychoactive drug from Cathinone, all the while trying to maintain a normal family life.

Festivals and Awards
Official Selection - 2023 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 

Rating

Unclassified 15+

Duration

74 min

Language

Hebrew (English subtitles)

Cast

Oshri Cohen

Director

Uri Marantz