Land of the Heads (2009) Au pays des têtes (original title)

Directors:

Claude Barras
Cédric Louis

Writers:

Julien Sulser (writer)
Claude Barras (writer)

Genre:

Animation | Short | Fantasy | Horror

Plot:

Emile is an unhappy little vampire, doing a job he detests, in a world plunged into perpetual gloom. He serves a despotic mistress who loathes wrinkles, in the most extreme way.

Plot Keywords:

Vampire | Moon | Playing Accordian | Head Cut Off | Decapitated Head

Awards:

1 nomination

Directed by
Claude Barras
Cédric Louis

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Claude Barras		writer
Julien Sulser		writer

Produced by
Claude Barras	....	executive producer
Michael Fukushima	....	producer
Jean-Blaise Perrin	....	assistant producer
David Verrall	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Denis L. Chartrand		(original music by)
Pierre Yves Drapeau		(original music by) (as Pierre-Yves Drapeau)
Normand Roger		(original music by)

Cinematography by
David Toutevoix		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
David Monti

Art Department
Ludovic Chemarin	....	set builder

Sound Department
Pierre Yves Drapeau	....	sound designer (as Pierre-Yves Drapeau)

Animation Department
Dale Hayward	....	animator

Other crew
Jean-Blaise Perrin	....	administrator of production

Production Companies

• Fondation Vaudoise Pour le Cinéma (participation)
• Hélium Films
• Office national du film du Canada (ONF)
• Télévision Suisse-Romande (TSR) (participation)

Distributors

• Image Entertainment (2010) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Mongrel Media (2009) (Canada) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Office national du film du Canada (ONF) (2008) (Canada) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Etilem  production administration
• Saga-Productions  filming facilities

Also Known As:

"Au pays des têtes" - Switzerland (original title)

Runtime:

6 min

Country:

Switzerland

Language:

French

Color:

Color (HDCAM)

Filming Locations:

Geneva, Canton de Genève, Switzerland

Company:

Fondation Vaudoise Pour le Cinéma

Not Just Humor, But A Real Visual Treat

This is listed under the "humor" section of the "Animation Express" DVD but I think it should have been under the "Visual Delights" because this is just incredible artwork - a fantastic piece of "eye candy." The superb details and colors come out even better under the Blu-Ray version of this DVD, highlighting the work of artists under the Film Board Of Canada title.

It's a horror story but will bring a few laughs to you, too, in addition to the theme of chopping people's heads off and using them as possible replacement heads.

Yeah, it's a little weird but definitely worth a look. I won't ruin the ending because it's a surprise one, and a satisfying one despite the sordid situation on this strange island.