The “joke between friends” gained momentum.
Ambre, Amélie, Juliette, Marie, Solène and Tobias are master 2 students in educational sciences.
Two months before the Caen student carnival (March 28), the largest in Europe, they are pursuing one goal: to zealously recreate the world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the film by Tim Burton (2005), based on Roald Dahl.
“We are actively looking for Oompa loompa to recruit to make our costumes more credible (…) Warning: obligatory dancing and singing,” says the announcement published on January 18 on the main group of Caen students on Facebook.
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The Oompa loompa are the small fantastic characters who, along with Willy Wonka, run the famous chocolate factory in the film.
“When the Wonka movie came out (last December), the Oompa loompa dance was trending on the TikTok app,” says Tobias.
It became obvious to dress up like that.
And we decided to publish an ad to have as many people with us as possible.
» And, to his great surprise, the small group of friends received several applications.
He even took his festive initiative to the point of creating a dedicated email address: recruitmentoompaloompa@gmail.com.
All motivated people are welcome, as long as they take part in the game, find the right costume and learn the songs and choreographies from the film.
“We would like to be noticed”
These students, who mix music revisions with their exam revisions, dream of being numerous enough to bring other carnival-goers with them on March 28, in the frenzy of this parade of more than 30,000 people.
And the idea of bringing students from other backgrounds on board motivates them: “It’s a fun day, a break before revisions to have fun and meet people.
Every year, disguises stand out.
We would like to be noticed,” laughs the little troop.
Solène and her friends scour second-hand sites to find accessories and give substance to their “common stupidity” for their first carnival together.
While waiting for their Oompa loompa, which they hope will be numerous in their footsteps.