Donkey Skin (re-release) 2004

Drama

Fantasy

Romance

Family

Musical

Runtime

90 min

Language

Russian

Directed by

Jacques Demy

Made by

Janus Films

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Donkey Skin (re-release) Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Donkey Skin (re-release) (2004). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

The king makes a solemn vow to his dying queen that he will only choose to marry a woman who is as beautiful and virtuous as she was. However, faced with pressure from his advisers to remarry and secure an heir, he reluctantly concludes that the only way to honor his promise is to marry his own daughter, the princess. Under the guidance of her godmother, the lilac fairy, the princess cleverly requests a series of seemingly impossible wedding gifts in hopes of dissuading her father from this incestuous plan.

To everyone’s surprise, the king manages to meet her extravagant demands, providing her dresses that change color with the weather, mimic the glow of the moon, and shine as brightly as the sun. He even presents her with the skin of a magical donkey, which produces wealth in the form of jewels. To escape her father’s intentions, the princess dons the skin of the enchanted donkey and flees the kingdom.

Now living as Donkey Skin, she finds work as a lowly pig keeper in a nearby kingdom. There, the prince spies her from a distance and becomes smitten with her beauty. Love-stricken, he retreats to his bed, claiming illness, and requests that Donkey Skin bake him a special cake to restore his health. Inside the cake, the princess secretly places a ring, signifying her feelings for him.

Upon discovering the ring, the prince exclaims that he will marry the woman whose finger it perfectly fits. This leads to all eligible women gathering at the royal castle to try on the ring, presenting themselves in order of their social standing. Finally, it is the turn of the unassuming Donkey Skin, who, to everyone’s astonishment, reveals herself as the princess when the ring fits her finger flawlessly.

The story culminates in a grand wedding between the prince and the princess, attended by the lilac fairy and the king, who arrive in a helicopter announcing that they, too, are set to marry, illustrating just how unexpected and whimsical true love can be.

Donkey Skin (re-release) Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Donkey Skin (re-release) (2004) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

The King's Vow

The king solemnly vows to his dying queen that he will only marry a woman who embodies both beauty and virtue, just like her. This promise weighs heavily on him as he grapples with the pressure from his advisers to find a new queen and secure an heir.

Incestuous Proposal

In a desperate attempt to honor his promise, the king decides to marry his own daughter, the princess. This shocking decision points to the lengths he is willing to go to keep his vow, despite the moral and ethical dilemmas it brings.

The Princess's Request

Under the guidance of her godmother, the lilac fairy, the princess devises a clever plan to avoid her father's incestuous marriage. She requests a series of extravagant gifts as a way to delay the inevitable, including magical items that seem impossible to procure.

Extravagant Gifts

To everyone's surprise, the king successfully meets his daughter's extravagant demands. He acquires dresses that change color, mimic the moon's glow, and shine as bright as the sun, as well as the skin of a magical donkey that brings wealth.

Escape as Donkey Skin

Realizing the dire situation, the princess dons the enchanted donkey's skin and escapes the kingdom. She transforms into 'Donkey Skin' and flees, leaving behind her royal life to avoid her father's intentions.

Life as a Pig Keeper

Living under the guise of Donkey Skin, the princess finds work as a lowly pig keeper in a nearby kingdom. Despite her humble circumstances, she captures the attention of the prince, who is smitten by her beauty from afar.

The Prince's Illness

The love-stricken prince pretends to be ill, claiming that only a special cake can restore his health. In a twist of fate, he requests that Donkey Skin bake this cake, unaware of her true identity and feelings for him.

A Ring in the Cake

The princess secretly places a ring inside the cake she bakes for the prince, symbolizing her love for him. This gesture is a desperate attempt to communicate her feelings while remaining incognito.

The Royal Gathering

Excited by the discovery of the ring, the prince declares that he will marry the woman whose finger it fits perfectly. This proclamation brings all eligible women to the royal castle, each eagerly trying on the ring in hopes of winning the prince's heart.

Royal Castle

Donkey Skin's Revelation

When it is finally her turn, the unassuming Donkey Skin tries on the ring, and to everyone’s astonishment, it fits perfectly. This miraculous moment reveals her true identity as the princess, shocking both the crowd and the royal family.

Royal Castle

The Grand Wedding

The story culminates in a grand wedding ceremony between the prince and the princess, celebrating their love that transcended obstacles. The event is attended by the lilac fairy and the king, who have also found love and are set to marry.

A Whimsical Conclusion

The wedding concludes with a surprise entrance from the king and the lilac fairy arriving in a helicopter. This whimsical twist emphasizes the unpredictable nature of love and unity in the kingdom.

Donkey Skin (re-release) Characters

Explore all characters from Donkey Skin (re-release) (2004). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Princess / Donkey Skin

The princess is resourceful and courageous, embodying both beauty and intelligence as she navigates her father's alarming intentions. Under the guise of Donkey Skin, she proves her strength by cleverly outwitting the king’s plans and finding love despite her hardships. Her character represents resilience and the fight for autonomy.

👸 Princess 🦄 Magical Being

The King

Tormented by his vows and societal pressures, the king is a complex character who shifts from a loving husband to a misguided father. His determination to fulfill a promise leads to a darkly comedic, albeit troubling, scenario involving his daughter. He ultimately represents the pitfalls of power and desire.

👑 Authority 😟 Conflict

The Prince

Charming and infatuated, the prince is portrayed as the archetypal romantic hero, captivated by Donkey Skin's beauty. His sincerity and awkward attempts to woo her reveal a depth beyond his royal status, making him a relatable character in the pursuit of true love.

💖 Love-Struck 🏰 Royalty

The Lilac Fairy

The lilac fairy serves as a guiding figure for the princess, embodying the role of protector and mentor. Her presence brings an element of magic and hope, supporting the princess in her quest and adding whimsical charm to the narrative.

🌸 Magical 👩‍🎤 Mentor

Donkey Skin (re-release) Settings

Learn where and when Donkey Skin (re-release) (2004) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The narrative unfolds in a timeless, fairy tale realm where traditional kingdom structures and magical occurrences abound. This setting allows for an exploration of themes related to love, family, and societal expectations without being confined to a specific historical period.

Location

Kingdom, Nearby Kingdom

The movie primarily takes place in a fantastical kingdom where royal decrees and magical elements intertwine. The kingdom is characterized by its opulent castles and fairy tale charm, creating a whimsical setting for the princess's struggle. Nearby, a simpler rural kingdom serves as the backdrop for Donkey Skin's transformation from royalty to a humble pig keeper.

🏰 Kingdom 🐖 Rural

Donkey Skin (re-release) Themes

Discover the main themes in Donkey Skin (re-release) (2004). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💔

Forbidden Love

At the core of the story is the theme of forbidden love, highlighted by the princess's struggle against her father's inappropriate desires. The relationship between Donkey Skin and the prince explores the complexities and challenges of love that defies societal norms. Their journey illustrates that true love can flourish even amidst difficult circumstances.

🌈

Transformation

The princess's metamorphosis into Donkey Skin symbolizes personal empowerment and the resilience of spirit. As she dons the skin of the magical donkey, she gains a new identity that allows her to escape and ultimately reclaim her place in the world. This theme emphasizes the potential for change and self-discovery.

👑

Royalty and Identity

The tension between royal duty and personal desire underpins the narrative, particularly through the princess's refusal to accept her father's wishes. Her quest for identity challenges the conventions of royalty, illustrating the conflict between societal expectations and individual aspirations.

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Donkey Skin (re-release) Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Donkey Skin (re-release) (2004). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In a realm where pastel skies kiss gilded turrets and everyday life hums with a song‑like lilt, this re‑imagined classic invites viewers into a world both fanciful and oddly familiar. Jacques Demy’s signature blend of bright, dream‑like tableaux and gentle humor creates a stage where duty, desire, and a dash of mischief swirl together like the colors of a sunrise. The atmosphere feels like stepping inside a living illustration, each scene promising wonder without ever losing its tender, human core.

At the heart of the story sits a solemn king, bound by a promise to his ailing queen that his next love must match her unparalleled beauty and virtue. Pressured by courtiers to secure an heir, he finds himself teetering on the edge of an impossible decision. His daughter, the princess, possesses a quick wit and a yearning for freedom; under the subtle guidance of her mystical lilac fairy godmother, she devises a series of fantastical requests that serve as both a test of her father’s resolve and a clever attempt to rewrite her fate.

When the kingdom’s wealth is manifested in an enchanted donkey’s skin—capable of turning wishes into glittering jewels—the princess seizes the chance to slip away, cloaking herself in the very material meant to bind the court’s fortunes. Assuming the simple guise of Donkey Skin, she finds modest work as a pig keeper in a neighboring land, where the rhythms of daily chores contrast sharply with the splendor she left behind. From afar, a curious prince observes her, his intrigue sparked by a quiet elegance that shines through her humble disguise.

The film balances a light‑hearted visual feast with an undercurrent of yearning, hinting at the possibilities that lie beyond the constraints of royalty and expectation. With each whimsical detail, the story encourages the audience to wonder how identity, love, and a touch of fairy‑tale magic might converge, leaving the path ahead both mysterious and inviting.