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What happens when you trick and capture Death itself? This question is explored in the animated short film “Death and the Winemaker” (Le Vigneron et la Mort) by Director Victor Jaquier, which tells a fable-like tale of a young winemaker who captures Death when she asks to taste his wine.
Set in the middle-ages, the movie begins with a winemaker falling in love with the daughter of a wealthy man. When he asks for her hand in marriage, he is asked to find someone impartial to endorse that he makes the best wine in the world – the Pope. As the young man sets off on a treacherous journey to Rome, he meets Death on the way, who offers to be the judge of his wine.
The animation in the film is simple, with heavy gothic influences, creating a dark and twisted tale of love, greed, and human fragility. The artwork is cleverly designed, such as the exterior of the wealthy man’s home resembling his evil visage. Victor Jaquier delivers an intriguing horror tale that should delight animation fans.