The Inspiration Behind Flower & Flour
Written by Dan Mansour, Creator of Flower & Flour.
The idea for Flower & Flour came about when my daughter was a baby and I was starting to think about how many nationalities she is made up of. Myself and my wife are both first generation Aussies. I’m half Lebanese, half Latvian. My wife’s half Chinese, half Austrian. Together we’re proudly, fully, Australian. I wanted to make something that celebrated and reflected the multiculturalism of my kids, my family, the neighbourhood I grew up in and Australia as a whole.
Flower & Flour is a series that embraces mateship and the diversity of our country, specifically Western Sydney where we grew up, without ever being heavy handed or tokenistic. Showcasing the vibrancy of the area in a way that is relatable and entertaining to audiences globally. A joyous, adventurous, emotional and hopefully hilarious series appealing to all kids. A show that mum, dad, Por Por and Jiddo would also be excited to watch.
Another key component of Flower & Flour is the celebration of work and working parents. Highlighting the fact that so many kids are involved in their parents’ work. Mum and dad’s business is also their business. Whether it be a family restaurant, a retail space or a takeaway shop loved by all. And since the parents are so busy working, the kids have a lot of agency. They have to solve their own problems, embrace the creativity that boredom can spark, lead the way on their own imaginative adventures and support one another.
Now to be honest, without my wife this story doesn’t exist. She grew up in restaurants. Her dad was a chef and her mum the restaurant manager. Playing and hanging out during service, napping on flour bags in the storeroom, constantly surrounded by wild characters and delicious culinary treats. To me her childhood has always been so fascinating, and when seen through a kid’s POV, restaurants are truly magical places.
A lot of amazing animation series are set in exotic jungles, vibrant forests or lush green suburban backyards … but this isn’t one of those shows. Bustling urban areas are where many kids grow up in Australia and around the world. It’s what we live in. And it is a space that deserves to be celebrated.
Ultimately, this is a show about connection. How marvelous relationships and opportunities thrive when we’re out and about in the community. I am really hoping with the series we can inspire others to get immersed in their community. To chat to their neighbours or a random they’re yet to know. Someone who could end up being the biggest legend they’ve ever met. I hope by experiencing the adventures Flower, Flour and their mates go on, and how they interact with all who make up their community, we’ll all feel inspired. Excited to venture out into our urban playgrounds. Beautiful unique spaces that every city has, which are brimming with wonder and awe.