La Planète sauvage de René Laloux y Roland Topor o la entente cordiale entre poesía y ciencia ficción

Abstract

In this study I intend to highlight the importance of the figure of René Laloux and his film production from a comparative perspective between French science-fiction literature and its rare cartoon adaptations. I aim to oppose René Laloux’s film production to the American Film industry. First, I will do a brief review of his short films (Les Dents du Singe, Les Locataires, Les Escargots ...) and of some of his masterpieces where he recreates futuristic dehumanized worlds – like dystopias – as in Les Maîtres du Temps. Then, Iwill focus on a detailed analysis of La Planète Sauvage (special jury prize at Cannes Film Festival in 1973), adapted from the novel Oms en Série by Stefan Wul and filmed in collaboration with Roland Topor. I will show that the link between director and cartoonist, between lyricism and fantasy, results in a great work which takes the form of a philosophical tale, and which constitutes without any doubt a unique cult film.