The dreamlike and engaging visions of René Laloux's art
The art of animation is an art form that often detaches itself from reality. This was the opinion of René Laloux, an animated film director who left an indelible mark on the field of animation by creating highly successful films. His films have been awarded and recognized for their artistic complexity and their fantastic and surreal nature.
Laloux's most famous film, La Planète Sauvage, was released in 1973 and immediately caused a sensation, having premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. This film, in addition to being an absolute masterpiece, influenced numerous other directors and animation artists, such as Hayao Miyazaki and Image Comics.
The film's story is based on the novel Who Serial by Stefan Wul, and tells the story of the Who, an alien race enslaved by a giant alien race known as the Draag. The plot combines elements of science fiction, allegories about human nature and fantastic alien landscapes.
Laloux used his artistic and technical skills to bring a unique and surreal world to the stage, giving the film a tactile quality and visual depth that sets it apart from most animated films. His collaborators helped create a world reminiscent of an etching or a surrealist masterpiece, with symbolic and metaphorical images that underline the film's main themes.
Furthermore, the film also contains elements of satire and metaphor regarding social and political themes, which transform the story into a deeper and more meaningful reading.
La Planète Sauvage is a work that goes beyond traditional animation, presenting a story rich in meaning, symbolism and layering. The film not only entertains, but also invites the audience to reflect on the universal themes of humanity, freedom and equality.
Fantastic Planet is a film that showcases the extreme contrasts of human nature; the main narrative is all about the importance of learning. However, far from being prosaic, there is also an ethereal quality and an arcane dignity at the heart of this deranged, alternative world.
Fantastic Planet is currently available to stream on Max, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu and Apple TV.
Source: https://www.animationmagazine.net
