French director Laloux began developing this animated feature in 1974, a year after the release of his FANTASTIC PLANET. What has emerged more than a decade later is a fascinating, but ultimately pretentious, arty jumble. The story takes place on the planet Gandahar, a perfect world of
contented people. One day a village is attacked by an unseen enemy, whose weapons turn the fleeing citizens into stone. As the countryside is laid waste, Queen Ambisextra (Close) sends her son Sylvain (Shea) on a mission to avenge the attack. Plagued with a murky narrative, simplistic symbolism,
and bland characterizations, the film is somewhat redeemed by its memorable surreal image...
Released:
1988
Rated:
NR
Length:
83 mins