Visionary Vibes | 3 Pillars of Psychedelic Animation at Art House Cinema & Pub

Saturdays at 9pm | Sundays at 6:30pm
Please note: These are not intended for children (especially Belladonna)

Dive into a mesmerizing journey through the surreal and sublime with Visionary Vibes: 3 Pillars of Psychedelic Animation at Art House Cinema & Pub. This special film series spotlights three groundbreaking animated films that have shaped the world of psychedelic cinema:

Aug. 31 & Sept. 1 - Fantastic Planet (1973)
Directed by René Laloux, Fantastic Planet is a dazzling French science fiction masterpiece that transports viewers to the alien world of Ygam, where humans, known as "Oms," are kept as pets by a race of giant blue beings called Draags. The film’s unique, dreamlike animation style—characterized by its surreal landscapes and hauntingly beautiful imagery—captures the strangeness of this world while exploring themes of freedom, oppression, and resistance. Its legacy endures as a touchstone of avant-garde animation, influencing artists and filmmakers alike.

Sept. 7 & 8 - Belladonna of Sadness (1973)
Eiichi Yamamoto’s Belladonna of Sadness is a visually stunning Japanese film that merges medieval history with psychedelic imagery in a story of love, betrayal, and empowerment. Following the tragic tale of Jeanne, a woman who makes a pact with the devil after being wronged by society, the film is an explosive blend of watercolor paintings and erotic, hallucinatory visuals. Its striking, experimental style and bold narrative broke new ground in animation, earning it a place as a cult classic and a symbol of feminist resistance.

Sept. 14 & 15 - Son of the White Mare (1981)
From Hungarian animator Marcell Jankovics comes Son of the White Mare, a mythic adventure inspired by ancient legends. The film follows the hero Treeshaker on a quest to rescue three princesses from underworld dragons, brought to life through vivid, kaleidoscopic animation and dynamic, flowing motion. Renowned for its fluidity, vibrant color palette, and symbolic richness, this film is a masterpiece of visual storytelling, blending folklore with a psychedelic aesthetic that remains unmatched in its intensity.

Visionary Vibes is more than a film series; it’s an immersive experience into the boundless possibilities of animated storytelling. These three films stand as pillars of psychedelic animation, each pushing the boundaries of the medium while leaving an indelible mark on cinema history. Don’t miss the chance to witness these visionary works on the big screen (and please do, as we're probably gonna lose money on this series), where their hallucinatory brilliance can be fully appreciated.