Donogoo is a weird, fast-talking 1930s movie about a city that isn't real

You should definitely watch Donogoo today if you’re into weird satires or stories where a tiny lie snowballs into a giant mess. It’s perfect for people who like vintage French vibes but want something faster than a slow drama.

If you can't stand old movies where everyone shouts thier lines and moves like they are on a theater stage, you might want to skip it. 🛑

The whole thing starts because this professor, Le Trouhadec, is basically a fraud. He wrote about a city called Donogoo-Tonka that simply isn't on any map because he made it up by accident.

Instead of admitting he messed up, he meets a guy named Lamendin who is having a mid-life crisis. They decide to just... make the city happen. It’s the original "fake it till you make it" story.

The office scenes at the beginning are so cluttered. There are papers everywhere and everyone seems like they are one cup of coffee away from a nervous breakdown.

I noticed the professor has this habit of touching his ear whenever he's lying. It’s a small thing but once you see it, you can’t stop looking for it. 👂

The way the movie handles the crowds is pretty funny. There’s a scene where people are signing up to go to the fake city, and they all look so desperate but also weirdly excited about going to a place they’ve never heard of.

It reminded me a little bit of the chaotic energy in Lulu, even though that’s a totally different kind of movie. Just that feeling of people running toward thier own destruction.

The sets in the "jungle" part of the movie are clearly just a studio. You can tell the plants are fake, and the lighting is a bit too bright for a forest. 🌿

But honestly, it doesn't matter that it looks cheap. The movie is more about how much people want to believe in something big and shiny, even if it’s a total scam.

There is this one guy in the background of the pioneer camp who looks like he’s actually trying to chop wood but he’s holding the axe all wrong. I spent five minutes just watching him instead of the main characters. It was hilarious.

The pacing gets a bit clunky in the middle. There is a lot of talking about financing and stocks that goes on for way too long. 📈

I almost checked my phone during the second board meeting scene. It felt like the movie was trying to explain the joke too much.

But then it picks back up when they actually get to the "site" of the city. The way they build a civilization out of nothing just to save face is wild.

One reaction shot of the professor looking at a map lingers for so long it becomes funny. He just stares at it like he’s trying to use mind powers to make the city appear on the paper.

The music is also very loud. It blares whenever something supposedly important happens, even if it’s just someone walking across a room.

I liked the ending, though. It doesn't feel like a normal movie ending where everything is wrapped up perfectly. It’s more like a shrug.

It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s better than most of the stuff from that era that tries to be serious. It knows it's a bit of a joke.

The way the characters move is so jittery. It’s like everyone in 1936 was constantly in a rush to get nowhere. 🏃‍♂️

If you like seeing how people got scammed before the internet existed, this is a fun watch. It shows that humans have always been kind of gullible when it comes to gold and glory.

I did find the sound quality a bit crunchy in the outdoor scenes. Sometimes the wind or the background noise drowns out the dialogue, but you can usually guess what they’re saying anyway.

One more thing—the hats. The hats in this movie are incredible. Every man has a different hat and they all seem to be part of their personality. 🎩

Overall, it’s a solid flick if you want something different. Just don’t expect it to make total sense all the time.

It’s definitely better than Hot Dogs if you’re looking for actual comedy and not just slapstick. Anyway, I’m glad I watched it even if I probably won't see it again for a few years.