Francois is a Genius
Special | 4m 33sVideo has Closed Captions
The history and artistry of Francois Goedhuy’s creating his Christmas cookie villages.
Short film following the history and artistic process of Francois Goedhuy’s creating his signature Christmas cookie villages. Overlaid with playful audio recordings of people recalling legends and personal histories involved with Francois’ process. A close-up tour of one of Francois’ cookie villages. Brief photo montage of previous installations.
Francois is a Genius
Special | 4m 33sVideo has Closed Captions
Short film following the history and artistic process of Francois Goedhuy’s creating his signature Christmas cookie villages. Overlaid with playful audio recordings of people recalling legends and personal histories involved with Francois’ process. A close-up tour of one of Francois’ cookie villages. Brief photo montage of previous installations.
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- [Speaker 1] No, no, he does it all in one night, just like Santa.
Him and his helpers, like elves.
- [Speaker 2] I think he imports the flour from Belgium?
I don't know, somebody told me that.
- [Speaker 3] So every year, for over 30 years, Erica asked Francois to make this cookie village.
They really have a very special friendship.
- [Speaker 4] We don't get to look behind the scenes very much, so this is really a treat.
I've never seen him make the cookies.
I don't think anyone's ever seen him.
- [Speaker 5] Oh my gosh, they're all so busy!
- [Speaker 4] Well, you know, Francois told me one time that some of those cookie molds, the ones where he stamps the cookies, those he brought with him from Belgium when he first came to the United States.
The cutout cookie cutters he made himself, and he's had for a long time.
I think he has a room in his house where he keeps all the cookie molds and cookie cutters.
That's how many he has.
♪ I'm sure if I took even one sniff ♪ ♪ It would bore me terrifically too ♪ - [Speaker 5] Wow.
Just look at the detail!
- [Speaker 6] He has to do like, central casting, but in his mind.
All the characters that he's going to create, they all have names and life stories.
- [Speaker 3] I just love the eyeballs.
♪ I get a kick though it's clear to me ♪ ♪ That you obviously don't adore me ♪ - [Speaker 5] He needs absolute silence.
- [Speaker 6] It's a very delicate process.
(loud sweeping and scraping) It's dangerous.
It's like being on the bomb squad.
- [Speaker 3] Wow.
You really gotta have steady hands.
- [Speaker 3] Big decisions.
What cookie goes where?
- [Speaker 4] It's the village of La Jolla, and you'll see everybody in there.
Sometimes, people and all the buildings on Girard Avenue.
(upbeat retro music continues) - [Speaker 5] Yeah.
He always includes the buildings of La Jolla.
Often, some of the churches, and the Athenaeum, of course, but you can really recognize different buildings, different landmarks.
- [Speaker 3] Well, we call it a cookie universe.
- [Speaker 5] Oh my gosh, he got the seagulls!
- [Speaker 1] You know, usually, at the holiday party, we have to guard it, and everyone wants to take away a little piece of cookie La Jolla - [Speaker 2] But sometimes those cookies go missing.
- [Speaker 1] Yeah.
We need to keep guards on it 24/7.
- [Speaker 3] Yeah.
And the thing is, they taste so good, too.
(upbeat music continues) - [Speaker 2] He's a true artist.
- [Camera Operator] Ta-da!
Woo!
- [Reporter] The gentleman responsible.
- (chuckles) Thank you.
("Waltz of the Flowers" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky plays) - [Announcer] Support for this program comes from the KPBS Explore Local Content Fund, supporting new ideas and programs for San Diego.
