Fantastic Planet

Fantastic Planet (La Planete Sauvage) (1973)

Runtime: 72 minutes

Directed by: Rene Laloux

Starring: This is an animated movie

From: Several different companies in both France and Czechoslovakia

I am glad that TCM Underground is a thing. They show the oddest cult movies; while I enjoy watching regular TCM too, it's nice to see such oddities once in awhile. This is a famed European animated film that is quite odd, yet quite engrossing at the same time. I explain why below: 

Late last night, TCM Underground debuted both this and Belladonna of Sadness; what a psychotronic double-header that was, two weird and wild animated 70's films from foreign countries. As I had not seen either of them and this month is all about foreign movies, this was perfect for me. The next day I'll talk about Belladonna. For now, I discuss this French/Czechoslovakian co-production, based on a French book by Stefan Wul.

The plot is set in the future; weird giant blue humanoid aliens known as Draags who are A-holes (I will presume that James Cameron had seen this movie a long time ago; at least he knew to change things around where the influence wasn't so obvious) have taken human beings from Earth to their strange world and call them Oms. It's a tale where a young human being lucks out and gains enough knowledge to try and lead an uprising against those blue A-holes. This movie is animated but it's NOT for kids; there are some horrifying moments and then there's all the topless women...

The animation was not only stop-motion, it was the version of stop-motion known as cutout. It provides a distinctive look and as the alien world has plenty of bizarre sights, the movie is always a treat to look at. It's not a vibrant and colorful world but its austere nature is fitting for how the Draags act. The story is not revolutionary yet it's always compelling as it's classic tropes seeing someone who is oppressed try to stop the oppressors. There are definitely allusions to real life struggles from the past between different groups of people. It's definitely a product of its time, from how there's likely a Czechoslovakian statement against Soviet Union occupation and its bitchin' 70's funky/jazzy score from Alain Goraguer. Yet, it doesn't feel dated and it still feels relevant today.

I am glad I finally saw this movie, in other words. In several ways it was a great fit to be watched in conjunction with Belladonna of Sadness. It does make me wish for more adult animation that is actually intelligent and not crude or stupid or engaging in anti-humor.