Wonderfully water paint-like animated progressive rock musical film about a woman regaining her power by closing a deal with a devil after experiencing a traumatic event.
It’s the middle ages in France. Jeanne has met the love of her life, but after their wedding she’s brutally raped by the town's baron and his courtiers. While she’s in a heavy rut, a phallic-like creature appears and promises her power she’s never experienced before in exchange for her body and soul.
Belladonna of Sadness was released in Japan fifty years ago. It was a commercial and critical failure at that time, causing the animation studio Mushi Production to go bankrupt that same year. However, the film has since then gone through a critical re-evaluation and has gained a cult status. Belladonna is praised for its feminist themes and dazzling water paint-like animation. The banging progressive rock soundtrack fits the psychedelic animation perfectly, creating a unique 1970s audiovisual experience you have to see on the big screen.
Note: this film includes shocking images.
There are no new dates planned (yet) for Belladonna of Sadness.
