Belladonna Of Sadness May 2026

The story is loosely based on Jules Michelet’s 1862 non-fiction book La Sorcière ( The Witch ), which interprets witchcraft as a form of social rebellion against feudal oppression.

Released in 1973 as the final entry in the "Animerama" trilogy, Belladonna of Sadness ( Kanashimi no Belladonna ) is a landmark of experimental Japanese animation. Directed by and produced by Osamu Tezuka's Mushi Production, the film is a dark, psychedelic folk tale that explores themes of sexual violence, power, and female liberation. Though it was a commercial failure that contributed to Mushi Production's bankruptcy, a 2016 4K restoration brought it renewed international acclaim as a feminist cult classic. Narrative & Themes Belladonna of Sadness