Kanashimi no Belladonna

An Astonishing Story

Kanashimi no Belladonna (Belladonna of Sadness) is an animated film made in 1973 created by Eiichi Yamamato. It actually belongs to a series named Animerama. The series has three separate films which means there's no story-wised connection between them. Cleopatra and One Thousand and One Nights are the first two films of Animerama. Animerama is based on historical events, and folk tales combined with erotical and surreal screening. Each film has different storytelling however the first two films draw in the same style except Belladonna of Sadness. Eiichi Yamamato was only take part as the creator in the first two but in the last one, he was also the director. That's why Kanashimi no Belladonna owns very original, almost similar to watercolor painting style animation. Today, I will talk about the inspiring story and scenes of Kanashimi no Belladonna.

A Short Brief of The Story

The anime starts with a celebration. It passes in Middle Ages in a small french rural. We have two main characters, Jean and Jeanne, they are lovers and the couple is about to get married. Jeanne is a charming and naive young woman, at celebration, the lord of the town and his helpers rapes her by allowing the order named The Lord's Right. Drowning to chagrin by that sinister man, she got depressed, because she is afraid that her relationship with Jean could tear apart as Jean tries to strangle her unconsciously. Jeanne tries to find a way out and in her sleep, a small red fiery shadow appears in her room. Eventually, the shadow grows bigger and bigger and it reveals his true identity, the devil. The devil shows affection and sympathy to Jeanne, he provokes Jeanne to sell her soul to him. Jeanne in desperation accepts his offer on one condition: She accepts selling her body but her soul is going to belong to Jean and God. Then Jean, her young lover of hers, becomes suddenly more powerful and successful to the point he gains a promotion, the tax collector. And yet Jean couldn't collect enough tax from poor villagers as a result of the Lord cutting Jean's hand for punishment. The villagers become suspicious of their sudden gain, and the rumors about Jeanne being a witch spread. On a path with ups and downs, Jeanne falls in fully with the offer of the devil, she attains the magical power. In the end, Jeanne's rebellious acts lead to a dead-end, the Lord burns her all alive but the soul of Jeanne sprawls constantly. This will continue to a point that triggers the French Revolution.

The Impact of Tell Tale

The whole film makes the audience feel like watching a dark fantasy fairy tale. The history of the witch-burning blend along with the influence of Austrian case makes so much sense in the context of the script. We see the despair of Jeanne who only wants to live beside her loved one Jean. The incident of rape reflects the striking reality of that awful action which causes serious damage to the victim. Jeanne is the victim of this narration, she grows angrier and sick of the unjustness of some higher authorities. The film has slightly feminist regard as it shows how impairing the perspective toward the position of the woman. Jeanne used to perceive that she must remain silent about those tyrant's behaviors therewithal Jeanne comprehend the fact that those higher powers were nothing but exploitative individuals. Someone should put them in their place. That's what Jeanne tried to do but eventually, she becomes more obsessed with having the all power.

Stunning Visual Sequences

The film obtains glorious scenes of deep levels of emotions. The representation of the feelings draws psychedelic composition. With the music of the '70s, the viewer goes on an almost spiritual journey. The overlaying drawing strike a mesmerizing scenery. The way of using the light trace lots of frames of raw sensations such as being terrified, disgusted, be disillusioned. Besides these irritating senses, the film also demonstrates the beauty of love in a manner of alluring. The symbolization of the flower Atropa Belladonna (beautiful woman)- which is the influence of the film title- shows the poisonous beauty of the main character Jeanne. There is an existence of mixed emotions, beauty within ugly- horror within pleasure- fall within rising, and death within life. Life goes on in a circular way, the rebellious souls never die, and their death turns into an inspiring thought.