

Jean Cocteau collaborated with Leon Bakst to write the ballet ‘Le Dieu bleu’ for Ballets Russes, when he was in his twenties. His one-act scenario ballet ‘Parade’ became famous in 1917 and was later expanded into a full opera.
He experimented with the human voice and wrote the play ‘La Voix humaine’ which revolves around a woman speaking to her invisible lover. Cocteau was criticised by actors for being too rigid and not allowing his characters to display their acting skills. This prompted him to take up screenwriting as well as directing and acting for his film ‘The Blood of a Poet’ (1930) that gained him positive reviews.
His work influenced French cinema and the upcoming ‘New Wave’ of his time. He wrote and directed box office hits like ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1946), ‘The Storm Within’ (1948), ‘Orpheus’ (1950), and ‘Ladies of the Park’ (1964).
Many of his works have been made into films after his death and received mixed reviews. These include ‘The Mystery of Oberwald’ (1981) and ‘Thomas the Imposter’ (2012).
After his wife passes away, a poet named Orphee follows her into the underworld. However, things take an interesting turn when he falls in love with Princess Death. The Princess eventually decides to send Orphee back out of the Underworld, along with his wife.
This fantasy romantic drama film tells the story of a beautiful young girl, who takes her father’s place as a prisoner of a mysterious beast, in an enchanted castle. However, soon the beast starts developing feelings for her.
This Spanish comedy drama film tells the story of a television actress, who is left by her lover without any apparent reason. She embarks on a journey to find out why, but on her way, she comes across multiple eccentric characters.
Michel, 22, who is in love with Madeleine, tells his family that he intends to marry her. His possessive mother, Yvonne, has no wish to lose her son. Besides, this marriage could expose some dark family secrets. So the parents, with help of Yvonne’s single sister Leo, hatch a plan to break this engagement. But later, Leo decides to set things right.
The Eagle With Two Heads is a French drama film, which revolves around a poet, who plans to assassinate an unpopular queen. However, things take a turn and the two instead fall in love.
Directed by Jean Cocteau, this short film of 35 minutes takes the viewer on a tour of Francine Weisweiller’s villa located on the French coast. This location is used by Cocteau in one of his later films.
Also known as Il mistero di Oberwald, the movie tells the story of a young radical poet Sebastian, who breaks into a castle in Oberwald, to kill the Queen. The Queen has been mourning her husband for ten years. Things get complicated when both discover that Sebastian is the spitting image of the dead king.
This experimental film was created as a fairytale for the subconscious mind based on the game of chess.