B E L L A D O N A

O F   S A D N E S S

A 1973 feature film, produced by the Japanese animation studio Mushi Production and directed by Eiichi Yamamoto. Belladonna of Sadness follows the story of Jeanne, a peasant woman, who is accused of witchcraft after being raped. Yamamoto took inspiration from the Jules Michelet's book on Medieval superstitions, Satanism & Witchcraft. 

The film is most notable for its graphic and suggestively erotic, and psychedelic imagery. It is comprised of both still illustrations panning across the screen and animation. The visuals find reference in a style mirroring that of Gustav Klimt and Occult imagery.

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