Fantastic Planet (1973)

In this animated acid-classic, humans are mere pests and pets for a race of blue giants who live longer, have better technology and mate via spiritual connections to headless naked statues on the moon. It belongs on the shortlist of works that attempt real science-fiction on film. A product of the psychedelic late 1960s and early 70s (the animation took five years to complete), it sits pretty next to a stack of old DAW paperbacks and early Pink Floyd records. Main creators Roland Torpor and Rene Laloux keep their scenario simple, communicating largely with beautiful handmade imagery and Alain Goraguer’s sensual Euro-funk score. It’s an uncluttered place for commentary on war, culture clashes, community, revolution, meditation and sex. You can also read this as an animal rights parable, with humans as the animals. No one makes films like this anymore. Today, it holds up as otherworldly in effect and still worth seeing.