New Trailer for René Laloux's Last Film Gandahar, Set to Release in 4K Restoration on August 28

      Janus Films has secured the 4K restoration of René Laloux’s final film, Gandahar—a noteworthy achievement in the realm of micro, and even more significant as the distributor now holds the rights to all three of the visionary French filmmaker’s works. While it may be unfair to raise expectations, one can hope for a Criterion collection that includes Fantastic Planet, The Time Masters, and this lesser-known finale, recognized (if at all) in the U.S. for a modified, English-language dub directed by Harvey Weinstein and translated by Isaac Asimov. The less said about that, the better, as Janus prepares to release the original, uncut French version on August 28 at New York’s IFC Center, accompanied by a new trailer and poster.

      Here’s the official synopsis: “An entire civilization must face its fate in alternative-animation pioneer René Laloux’s last film, a cult classic of mind-altering science fiction. In a faraway world, an unyielding army of machines attacks Gandahar, petrifying its peace-loving inhabitants. To uncover the origin of these Men of Metal, a council of matriarchs recruits the brave yet inexperienced warrior Sylvain (Pierre-Marie Escourro), who, while traversing the planet's outer regions, allies with the Deformed, a group ostracized from Gandahar due to failed scientific experiments that turned them into mutants. Soon, Sylvain discovers that a colossal brain named Metamorphis (Georges Wilson) is the cause of turmoil in his utopian society and—accompanied by the beautiful Airelle (Catherine Chevallier)—travels through time to conquer him, risking their lives and the very existence of Gandahar in the process. Featuring stunningly surreal creatures and wonderfully bizarre landscapes crafted by famed comic-book artist Caza, Gandahar is a visceral, visionary journey that uses animation to unlock the farthest corners of the imagination.”

      Find the preview and poster below: