Gwen, or the Book of Sand
France1985animated76'Jean-François Laguionie Retrospective
In a post-apocalyptic reality, a nomadic people must tame the desert to survive. They hunt ostriches, traverse heaps of sand on stilts, and encounter on their way giant objects from the past, which are buried or fall from the sky. Gwen, who travels with them, tries to find her friend and understand the forces governing this place. Along the way, she finds more fantastic characters and unexplored phenomena. ‘Gwen, or the Book of Sand’ is the director’s first and most mysterious full-length film, dazzling with its surreal aesthetics and the visual artistry of each frame.
- directed by
- Jean-François Laguionie
Jean-François Laguionie (born 1939 in Besançon) is a French animation filmmaker who blends surrealism and impressionism. A student of Paul Grimault, he abandoned theatre in favor of animated film as an art form. His style is marked by gouache technique, interplay of light, and maritime motifs—seen in works like The Lady and the Cellist, Rowing Across the Atlantic, and Louise by the Shore. He also explores social and political themes while maintaining a poetic, unique style.
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