Cult Films Meet-Up: FANTASTIC PLANET

Portland Movie Club Meet-Up - Spotlight on "FANTASTIC PLANET"
Let's talk about movies! Join Movie Club Member David J. for the next discussion in our cult film series with our first fully animated film selection, the surreal and visionary “Fantastic Planet” (“La Planete Sauvage,”1973). It’s one of the few animated films to be accepted in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won a Special Jury Prize, and went on to win the International Jury Prize at the prestigious Trieste International Science Fiction Film Festival.

Here's how it works:
1. Just like a book club, we watch the movie before we meet.
2. We'll meet at Lucky Lab at 4pm (map), there will be a sign at our table, or at the least we will make it as obvious as we can who we are (watch for that rowdy bunch waving hands and wearing movie themed T-Shirts) and where we are saving tables and chairs.
3. Grab some food and drinks and spend some enjoyable time discussing this cult movie masterpiece with us.

A little about FANTASTIC PLANET
Benefitting from a wide release to American cinemas in 1974 from none other than Roger Corman and his New World Pictures, this unique French film has acquired a reputation for its surreal beauty, dreamlike imagery, and a story infused with astute social-political observations about the relationship between a dominant species of extraterrestrials and their human pets.

Its concerns are really not that far removed from a more famous French novel of the same era, “Monkey Planet” by Pierre Boulle, which became the basis for the “Planet of The Apes” films. But “Fantastic Planet” is wildly different in its cinematic execution, and for the sense of wonder evoked by its imaginative visuals.

A truly otherworldly experience, the film's animation was realized by a team of gifted Czechoslovakian animators – though it was inspired by a French novel (“Oms En Serie,” written by Stefan Wul, 1957) - and its cinematic adaptation directed, scripted and designed by a former woodcarver, puppeteer and counselor at a psychiatric clinic (!), Rene Laloux, and cartoonist and cofounder of the surrealist Panic Movement (alongside Fernando Arrabal and Alejandro Jodorowski), Roland Topor.

With a pedigree like this you can expect an unusual and provocative work of art and entertainment. There’s no other film quite like “Fantastic Planet.”

Viewing Options
Streaming options are reported to include Plex (for free), Max, Apple TV, Hulu, Sling, Amazon Prime, Fandango, YouTube and Google Play. You may also be able to stream “Fantastic Planet” on the Criterion Collection app, as it has been released by Criterion on both Blu-ray and DVD, and you may find earlier releases on both LaserDisc and VHS.

About Cult Films
Sometimes good, almost always interesting, and only somewhat definable (to hijack a phrase from a certain former Supreme Court Justice* when he was talking about a different genre of film, "I know a Cult Film when I see one!"), this very special genre of film can be known for its dedicated fanbases, high-camp kitsch, transgressive ideas, counterculture attitude, polarized reception, and sometimes for artfulness, but far more often for obscurity.

While Cult Films typically defy mainstream criticism, they are rich candidates for open-minded entertainment and interpretation, viewed through a lens that emphasizes their unique perspectives regardless of their financial success or failure.

To be sure, there are many sub-groups of Cult Films including Midnight Movies, Z Movies, and overlooked arthouse cinema. Many cult films exist at the borderline between art and exploitation.

Some of Portland Movie Club Organizer Nick’s favorites are The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Big Lebowski, Plan 9 From Outer Space, Birdemic and Office Space. There's a great writeup of the genre on Wikipedia.

Tips

1. Haven't seen the movie in a while? You're in for a treat - try to watch the movie sometime before we meet. You don't have to watch the movie to join us, but it'll be more fun if you can
2. I usually take a few notes while I watch to keep from forgetting the most interesting stuff. If you think of some interesting discussion topics while you watch, bring 'em with you!

Previous films viewed by “Cult Film” Meet-up members for group discussion have included a double feature of “The Brain That Wouldn’t Die” with “The Man With Two Brains,” Takashi Miike's "Audition," “Daisies,” “Jennifer’s Body,” “The Human Tornado,” David Cronenberg’s “Videodrome” and "The Brood," David Lynch’s “Eraserhead,” “Switchblade Sisters,” “The Love Witch,” Ed Wood's “Plan 9 From Outer Space,” Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood,” and Brian DePalma’s “Phantom of The Paradise.”

Coming soon, but not necessarily in this order: Jane Fonda in space, Godard, Jess Franco, Doris Wishman, Italian films that are not giallo, more Cronenberg & Lynch, Hong Kong cinema and many surprises!
*Former SC Justice Potter Stewart is who I am referring to, if you were wondering.