Jean Rollin: The Stray Dreamer

Who is Jean Rollin? He is a man who grew up surrounded by some of the most influential intellectuals of the 20th century. An artist who collaborated with Marguerite Duras on his debut film. His career as a director is distinctive and unparalleled in French cinema, known for films that are overtly fantastical, surreal, and poetic—often perplexing. Although critics have long dismissed his work, he is finally beginning to receive some recognition in France, while he already has a devoted fan base in Europe and the United States. Jean Rollin’s body of work is obscure and marginal, characterized by themes of death and nostalgia, with a central focus on time, wandering, and dreams. Rollin passed away in December 2010 at the age of 72. This documentary serves as a portrait of a true artist, the last surrealist, a poet who crafted his own dreamlike universe. It is a tribute to a unique director, featuring testimonials from his closest collaborators.