“Donkeyskin” (“Peau d’Âne”) is a 1970 French musical fantasy film directed by Jacques Demy. The film is based on the classic fairy tale “Donkeyskin” by Charles Perrault and features a blend of enchanting visuals, whimsical music, and a touch of surrealism. It stars Catherine Deneuve, Jean Marais, and Jacques Perrin.
In a far-off kingdom, a benevolent king (Jean Marais) and his beautiful queen (Catherine Deneuve) rule harmoniously. The queen, however, falls gravely ill and extracts a promise from the king that he will only remarry someone as beautiful and virtuous as she. Upon her death, the king is consumed by grief.
As time passes, the king decides to remarry to honor his late queen’s wish. However, the only woman who matches the queen’s beauty and virtue is their own daughter, the princess (also played by Catherine Deneuve). The idea of marrying his daughter horrifies the princess, and she seeks counsel from her fairy godmother (Delphine Seyrig), who devises a plan to thwart the king’s intentions.
The fairy godmother advises the princess to demand three seemingly impossible gifts: dresses the color of the sky, the moon, and the sun. Miraculously, the king fulfills these requests. Finally, she demands the hide of his prized magical donkey, which produces gold and jewels. Shockingly, the king complies.
Disguised in the donkey’s hide, the princess flees the kingdom and seeks refuge in a distant land, where she takes on the humble role of a scullery maid, known derisively as “Donkeyskin.” Despite her lowly position, her innate grace and beauty shine through.
In this new kingdom, a young prince (Jacques Perrin) becomes enamored with the mysterious maiden in the donkey skin. He becomes determined to discover her true identity. The prince arranges for a grand ball and secretly gives Donkeyskin a beautiful gown, knowing she will attend. The prince and Donkeyskin dance at the ball, but she slips away before he can learn who she is.
The prince then devises a plan: he has a ring made and declares that he will marry the woman whose finger it fits. Many try, but none succeed until Donkeyskin, in her true regal form, tries on the ring, revealing her identity. The prince and the princess are joyously united, and they return to her kingdom, where the king, having repented, blesses their union. “Donkeyskin” explores themes of love, perseverance, and transformation, wrapped in the enchanting veneer of a classic fairy tale.
The Other Cinema 