‘Death Does Not Exist’ Director on His Animated Cannes Film and the “Impossibility of Violence”

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In the film “Death Does Not Exist” (or “La mort n’existe pas”), Quebec animator Felix Dufour-Laperrière focuses on the central story of two principal characters, Helene and Manon, who make a pact reminiscent of Faust.

Convinced that drastic change can only be achieved through violent revolution against the established system, these two women and their associates decide to stage an armed uprising against wealthy landowners in a grand mansion. Unfortunately, things do not go smoothly. Helene finds herself paralyzed by fear and manages to flee into a mystical valley brimming with vibrant hues and palpable tension. Later on, Manon appears as a ghostly figure, tormenting Helene.

In their belief that only violent rebellion could bring about significant change, these two women and their companions chose to launch an armed assault on wealthy landowners residing in a lavish villa. However, the outcome was less than ideal. Struck by fear, Helene escaped into a valley shrouded in magical colors and tension. As time passed, Manon began haunting Helene’s memories.

Through a sequence of conversations and soliloquies, the two females reflect upon themes such as violence, affection, loyalty, and the potential positive outcomes that may arise when disrupting established norms, following the traumatic events they have experienced.

At one point, Manon says to Helene, “Life is all about motion.” She goes on to explain that with motion comes a price, and it’s often challenging. It means making tough decisions, such as protecting yourself or getting involved to make a difference. Change may be inevitable, or it could be about preserving what you hold dear. It’s difficult, indeed, but whining won’t solve anything. Ultimately, the choice is yours – who or what do you stand by?

Stepping into the shoes of a gamer, I’m sharing my excitement as “Death Does Not Exist” embarks on its global debut at Cannes, soon to follow by Annecy screenings. In an exclusive chat with The Hollywood Reporter, director Dufour-Laperrière reveals his creative vision for this hand-drawn animated masterpiece. He aimed to intertwine the narrative of a poignant friendship gone awry with the aftermath of a botched terrorist act. As he puts it, “The characters grapple, above all, with the inability to wield violence effectively.” In his words, “You can’t dictate the repercussions. They quickly spiral out of control. Yet, they navigate this world where violence is prevalent.

In the heart of this sorrowful narrative, Manon proposes to Helene an opportunity: having abandoned her cohorts during their unsuccessful armed assault, she suggests they revisit the landowners’ villa and fulfill the terrorist mission. As Dufour-Laperrière recounts, “Manon is offering a chance at potentially rescuing her friends, preserving her affection, and maintaining her convictions – all while putting everything on the line in that very instant. That’s a tragic decision.

The film “Death Does Not Exist” is also influenced by a troubled period in Canadian history, specifically the October Crisis of 1970, during which a separatist group in Quebec called the Front de Libération du Québec (FLQ) abducted prominent politicians as part of their push for independence from Canada. This action prompted Ottawa to enforce the War Measures Act.

Initially, Dufour-Laperrière compares the October Crisis to Alice in Wonderland when discussing the FLQ’s use of violence for political benefits. He also emphasizes that his simplistic animation style effectively portrays a chaotic world by employing abstraction through visual and audio layering in his film.

Dufour-Laperrière’s technique of using a limited yet dynamic color palette for characters with few but constantly changing details creates a cohesive whole, where characters and backgrounds intertwine. As the director remembers, “They are not standalone entities, but an integral part of the context and the backgrounds, and vice versa.” This approach allowed for great freedom in color usage, treating it as if painting a picture.

Dufour-Laperrière expresses his delight about the world premiere of his Canada-France co-production at Cannes: “It’s truly enjoyable to share an adult animated feature, and even more so in such a prestigious cinematic setting like the Cannes Film Festival. The excitement outweighs any stress I might have.

The Movie “Death Does Not Exist” Boasts a Star-Studded Cast Featuring Zeneb Blanchet, Karelle Tremblay, Mattis Savard-Verhoeven, Barbara Ulrich, and Irene Dufour. The Production is Being Handled by UFO, BFF, and Maison 4:3.

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2025-05-18 16:24