Gandahar
A screening that leaves room for the unexpected: the programming team saves this slot to present a film chosen at shorter notice, in response to current events, to seize an opportunity, or simply on a whim.
In a distant world, a merciless army of automata attacks Gandahar, turning its peace-loving people to stone. Hoping to discover the source of these Men of Metal, a council of matriarchs enlists the brave yet inexperienced warrior Sylvain, who, while journeying through his planet’s outer regions, teams up with the Deformed, a race cast out from Gandahar after failed science experiments rendered them mutants. Featuring stunningly surreal creatures and wondrously bizarre environments designed by renowned comic-book artist Caza, Gandahar is a visceral, visionary head-trip in which animation opens a gateway to the furthest reaches of the imagination.
René Laloux
René Laloux was a French film director, animator, painter and sculptor. After some time working in advertising, he got a job in a psychiatric institution where he began experimenting in animation with the interns. It is at the psychiatric institution that he made the 1960 film Monkey's Teeth (Les dents du singe), in collaboration with Paul Grimault's studio, and using a script written by the Cour Cheverny's interns. Another important collaborator of his was Roland Topor with whom he made Dead Time (Les temps morts) in 1964, The Snails (Les escargots) in 1965 and his most famous work, the feature length Fantastic Planet (La planète sauvage) in 1973. Laloux also worked with Jean Giraud (Mœbius) to create the lesser known film Les maîtres du temps (Time Masters), released in 1982. Laloux's 1987 film, Gandahar, was released in the US as Light Years, and made in cooperation with the artist Caza.
