Mask of the Devil
France1976animated12'Jean-François Laguionie Retrospective
In a colourful hilltop town, preparations for a carnival masquerade are underway. To escape the party, an elderly woman flees into the forest, but she does not know that the devil himself is awaiting her there. When he offers her a game of dominoes, the woman will put her soul on the line in exchange for regaining her youth. In this allegorical animation, scenes of frantic, joyful fun are contrasted with the dark and anxious game for the life of an elderly woman, while revealing the mechanism of governing society by fear. The film is a reminder that evil does not always hide in a place where it is expected.
- 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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