Ubu and the Great Gidouille 1979
Jan Lenica's surreal cut-out animation *Ubu and the Great Gidouille (1979)* breathes wild life into Alfred Jarry's absurdist Ubu plays, transforming their grotesque characters into near-abstract caricatures.
Director: Jan Lenica
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ubu and the Great Gidouille (1979) about?
This animated adaptation plunges into the anarchic world of Alfred Jarry's Ubu plays, following the tyrannical Pa Ubu and his monstrous wife Ma Ubu as they wreak havoc in a shadowy, distorted realm. The film strips the original narratives down to their surreal core, where power and greed are rendered as absurd, almost mechanical forces.
Who directed Ubu and the Great Gidouille?
The film was directed by Jan Lenica, a Polish animator and filmmaker known for his experimental and avant-garde approach to visual storytelling.
Who stars in Ubu and the Great Gidouille?
The film features the voices of Michel Poujade as Pa Ubu and Janine Grillon as Ma Ubu, bringing Lenica's grotesque characters to life with unsettling intensity.
Is Ubu and the Great Gidouille (1979) worth watching?
With its unique visual style and faithful yet imaginative adaptation of Jarry's work, this film is a must-see for fans of surreal animation and dark satire—even if its niche appeal might not suit every viewer. Its experimental nature and haunting atmosphere make it a standout in Lenica's filmography, though mainstream audiences may find it challenging.
How long is Ubu and the Great Gidouille?
The runtime of *Ubu and the Great Gidouille* is approximately 80 minutes.
About Ubu and the Great Gidouille (1979) — Jan Lenica's Surreal Stop-Motion Masterpiece Explored
Jan Lenica's surreal cut-out animation *Ubu and the Great Gidouille (1979)* breathes wild life into Alfred Jarry's absurdist Ubu plays, transforming their grotesque characters into near-abstract caricatures. Ma Ubu emerges as a grotesque insect in the opening act, while Pa Ubu's bulbous jaw and stunted cranium embody the puppet-like absurdity of power run amok. This stop-motion marvel strips Jarry's dark satire down to its rawest, most visually arresting elements, blending crime, drama, and animation into a nightmarish yet darkly comic meditation on tyranny and folly.
With its jagged edges and jagged storytelling, Lenica's film feels like a fever dream of Ubu's reign—where every frame pulses with the tension between the ridiculous and the sinister. The world of Ubu is rendered in stark whites and ominous blacks, evoking a timeless, almost puppet-show dread that lingers long after the credits roll.