MARQUIS   1989
Directed by Henri Xhonneux
83 minutes
In French with English subtitles

This French film from the late 80s caused quite a stir when it was released, and like so many other films, it has been largely deleted from film history and is never screened. Loosely based on the writings of the notorious Marquis de Sade, its images originate from the wonderful imagination of Roland Topor. Although he was born to Polish parents, Topor is still embraced as one of the principle French surrealists of the 50s, and was an artistic partner with Jodorowsky in the crazy Panic Movement. Today he remains one of the most important and enigmatic graphic illustrators of the last century, with a wonderful sense of biting irony and black humor. He was also a writer, and Roman Polanski made an important film from one of his books called The Tenant.

This film takes place during the Marquis de Sade's imprisonment in Paris, while the French Revolution raged on in the background. The events of Sade's life are weaved together with elements from his imagination and fantasy. The result is a heavy mix of intellectualism about the nature of sexuality and revolution filled with outrageously perverse sex scenes.

The other thing that makes Marquis stand out in film history is that it was made in a totally unique and bizarre way. Clay animation is employed here and there, but the film is mainly an Animatronics extravaganza. This rarely used technique consists of masks that are physically animated. Because all the characters in this film are actually anthropomorphised animals who walk upright and are played by human actors/dancers in their elaborate costumes. Justine is a white mare dressed in a dominatrix costume. The Marquis de Sade is a cocker spaniel dog, and he has a huge penis with an animated human face on it. And believe it or not, this is where the intellectual part comes in, since the Marquis has philosophical arguments with his own cock.

There is certainly no other film like this one... and it will be a rare screening of course!