Donkey Skin (re-release) 2004
Directed by
Jacques Demy
Made by
Janus Films
Plot Summary
The king makes a solemn vow to his dying queen that he will only choose to marry a woman who is as beautiful and virtuous as she was. However, faced with pressure from his advisers to remarry and secure an heir, he reluctantly concludes that the only way to honor his promise is to marry his own daughter, the princess. Under the guidance of her godmother, the lilac fairy, the princess cleverly requests a series of seemingly impossible wedding gifts in hopes of dissuading her father from this incestuous plan.
To everyone’s surprise, the king manages to meet her extravagant demands, providing her dresses that change color with the weather, mimic the glow of the moon, and shine as brightly as the sun. He even presents her with the skin of a magical donkey, which produces wealth in the form of jewels. To escape her father’s intentions, the princess dons the skin of the enchanted donkey and flees the kingdom.
Now living as Donkey Skin, she finds work as a lowly pig keeper in a nearby kingdom. There, the prince spies her from a distance and becomes smitten with her beauty. Love-stricken, he retreats to his bed, claiming illness, and requests that Donkey Skin bake him a special cake to restore his health. Inside the cake, the princess secretly places a ring, signifying her feelings for him.
Upon discovering the ring, the prince exclaims that he will marry the woman whose finger it perfectly fits. This leads to all eligible women gathering at the royal castle to try on the ring, presenting themselves in order of their social standing. Finally, it is the turn of the unassuming Donkey Skin, who, to everyone’s astonishment, reveals herself as the princess when the ring fits her finger flawlessly.
The story culminates in a grand wedding between the prince and the princess, attended by the lilac fairy and the king, who arrive in a helicopter announcing that they, too, are set to marry, illustrating just how unexpected and whimsical true love can be.
Timeline
The King's Vow
The king solemnly vows to his dying queen that he will only marry a woman who embodies both beauty and virtue, just like her. This promise weighs heavily on him as he grapples with the pressure from his advisers to find a new queen and secure an heir.
Incestuous Proposal
In a desperate attempt to honor his promise, the king decides to marry his own daughter, the princess. This shocking decision points to the lengths he is willing to go to keep his vow, despite the moral and ethical dilemmas it brings.
The Princess's Request
Under the guidance of her godmother, the lilac fairy, the princess devises a clever plan to avoid her father's incestuous marriage. She requests a series of extravagant gifts as a way to delay the inevitable, including magical items that seem impossible to procure.
Extravagant Gifts
To everyone's surprise, the king successfully meets his daughter's extravagant demands. He acquires dresses that change color, mimic the moon's glow, and shine as bright as the sun, as well as the skin of a magical donkey that brings wealth.
Escape as Donkey Skin
Realizing the dire situation, the princess dons the enchanted donkey's skin and escapes the kingdom. She transforms into 'Donkey Skin' and flees, leaving behind her royal life to avoid her father's intentions.
Life as a Pig Keeper
Living under the guise of Donkey Skin, the princess finds work as a lowly pig keeper in a nearby kingdom. Despite her humble circumstances, she captures the attention of the prince, who is smitten by her beauty from afar.
The Prince's Illness
The love-stricken prince pretends to be ill, claiming that only a special cake can restore his health. In a twist of fate, he requests that Donkey Skin bake this cake, unaware of her true identity and feelings for him.
A Ring in the Cake
The princess secretly places a ring inside the cake she bakes for the prince, symbolizing her love for him. This gesture is a desperate attempt to communicate her feelings while remaining incognito.
The Royal Gathering
Excited by the discovery of the ring, the prince declares that he will marry the woman whose finger it fits perfectly. This proclamation brings all eligible women to the royal castle, each eagerly trying on the ring in hopes of winning the prince's heart.
Donkey Skin's Revelation
When it is finally her turn, the unassuming Donkey Skin tries on the ring, and to everyone’s astonishment, it fits perfectly. This miraculous moment reveals her true identity as the princess, shocking both the crowd and the royal family.
The Grand Wedding
The story culminates in a grand wedding ceremony between the prince and the princess, celebrating their love that transcended obstacles. The event is attended by the lilac fairy and the king, who have also found love and are set to marry.
A Whimsical Conclusion
The wedding concludes with a surprise entrance from the king and the lilac fairy arriving in a helicopter. This whimsical twist emphasizes the unpredictable nature of love and unity in the kingdom.
Characters
Princess / Donkey Skin
The princess is resourceful and courageous, embodying both beauty and intelligence as she navigates her father's alarming intentions. Under the guise of Donkey Skin, she proves her strength by cleverly outwitting the king’s plans and finding love despite her hardships. Her character represents resilience and the fight for autonomy.
The King
Tormented by his vows and societal pressures, the king is a complex character who shifts from a loving husband to a misguided father. His determination to fulfill a promise leads to a darkly comedic, albeit troubling, scenario involving his daughter. He ultimately represents the pitfalls of power and desire.
The Prince
Charming and infatuated, the prince is portrayed as the archetypal romantic hero, captivated by Donkey Skin's beauty. His sincerity and awkward attempts to woo her reveal a depth beyond his royal status, making him a relatable character in the pursuit of true love.
The Lilac Fairy
The lilac fairy serves as a guiding figure for the princess, embodying the role of protector and mentor. Her presence brings an element of magic and hope, supporting the princess in her quest and adding whimsical charm to the narrative.
Setting
Time period
The narrative unfolds in a timeless, fairy tale realm where traditional kingdom structures and magical occurrences abound. This setting allows for an exploration of themes related to love, family, and societal expectations without being confined to a specific historical period.
Location
Kingdom, Nearby Kingdom
The movie primarily takes place in a fantastical kingdom where royal decrees and magical elements intertwine. The kingdom is characterized by its opulent castles and fairy tale charm, creating a whimsical setting for the princess's struggle. Nearby, a simpler rural kingdom serves as the backdrop for Donkey Skin's transformation from royalty to a humble pig keeper.
Themes
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Forbidden Love
At the core of the story is the theme of forbidden love, highlighted by the princess's struggle against her father's inappropriate desires. The relationship between Donkey Skin and the prince explores the complexities and challenges of love that defies societal norms. Their journey illustrates that true love can flourish even amidst difficult circumstances.
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Transformation
The princess's metamorphosis into Donkey Skin symbolizes personal empowerment and the resilience of spirit. As she dons the skin of the magical donkey, she gains a new identity that allows her to escape and ultimately reclaim her place in the world. This theme emphasizes the potential for change and self-discovery.
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Royalty and Identity
The tension between royal duty and personal desire underpins the narrative, particularly through the princess's refusal to accept her father's wishes. Her quest for identity challenges the conventions of royalty, illustrating the conflict between societal expectations and individual aspirations.
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