René Laloux, the director of Fantastic Planet [La Planète sauvage], created Les Maîtres du temps, his penultimate animated feature film, in 1982. A huge hit in France at the time of its release, it combines Laloux's famous imagination with that of animation designer Jean Giraud (aka Moebius).
On planet Perdide, an attack of giant hornets leaves Piel, a young boy alone in a wrecked car with his dying father. A mayday message reaches their friend Jaffar, an adventurer travelling through space. On board Jaffar's shuttle are the renegade Prince Matton, his fiancée, and Silbad who knows the planet Perdide well. Thus begins an incredible race across space to save Piel.
Les Maîtres du temps is a finely animated metaphysical rescue mission, previously seen in English-speaking countries as a dubbed version entitled Time Masters. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present the original French version of Laloux's distinctive vision in this newly restored 25th anniversary edition.
SPECIAL FEATURES
• New high-definition restoration of the original Laloux version in original aspect ratio
• Newly translated optional English subtitles
• Original theatrical trailer
• 36-PAGE BOOKLET including a new essay by Craig Keller and an interview with Moebius about the making of the film.
Gandahar
René Laloux, director of Fantastic Planet [La Planète sauvage], created Gandahar, his final animated feature film, in 1988. Based on an original story by Jean-Pierre Andrevon, and a huge hit in France at the time of its release, it combines Laloux's famous imagination with that of animation designer Philippe Caza. Gandahar is a fascinating, adult animation which examines genetic mutation, the importance of organic farming, and urges a respect for nature that resonates today more than ever.
Life in the idyllic paradise of Gandahar seems peaceful and in joyous order, until the Mirror Birds report that inhabitants of whole villages have been turned to stone. A council of women chooses Sylvain Lanvère to uncover Gandahar's mysterious metallic attackers. In doing so, he finds an underground race of deformed Gandaharians and an oversized motherbrain, both the result of botched genetic experiments.
Previously seen in English-speaking countries as the dubbed hack-job alternatively titled Light Years (presided over by Harvey Weinstein who credited himself as "Director", over Laloux), The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present the original French version of Laloux's distinctive vision in this newly restored 20th anniversary edition.
SPECIAL FEATURES
• New high-definition progressive transfer, original aspect ratio
• Newly translated optional English subtitles
• Laloux short film La Prisonnière
• 36-PAGE BOOKLET including a new essay by Craig Keller and an interview with Philippe Caza about the making of the film.
