Guillaume Retz

Guillaume Retz (b. 1919 in Nantes, France-d. 1962 in London, UK) is an "unsung hero" of post-war French animation though largely unknown, particularly outside of France. Recent archival footage has emerged about Retz, along with some revealing letters.
Early life
Guillaume Retz was born in Nantes, in Brittany. After finishing school, he found a low-level position in the French Ministry of Information in Nantes. He was dedicated to his job, but he became obsessed by the work of Eadweard Muybridge and his goal became to create his own animated films. When the Nazis occupied France in 1940, they took over the Ministry of Information and Retz was forced to work for them, printing and disseminating propaganda material reviling the Allies. In Nantes, citizens were split between those who were against the occupation and those who supported it. Retz struggled to find its place and was unable to maintain the loyalty of one way or another. (There are questions about his criticism of the regime and whether or not he was actually a happy collaborator.)
Barbe Bleue
In 1942, at the age of 23, Retz produced his Barbe Bleue, now acknowledged as an important film in the evolution of animation. Only a fraction of the completed work survives. Although thought of as an version of the Bluebeard myth, it is believed to better illustrate the dark and claustrophobic truths about Retz's time. The film was created by Retz in secret and alone.
Retz is rumored to have also produced other animated short stories on his own time. These include an animated documentary about the mass arrest of more than 13,000 Jews in the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup in Paris that this is thought to have been destroyed by the authorities.
On occasion, he showed his films to his neighbors and their children. Although the films were charming, some of them began to complain that they were not consistent with the laws of the Nazi occupation. Uncertain whether actions would be brought against him, he became frightened, and fled Nantes carrying only a small bag of materials.
La chambre de Gilles de Rais
After a few days of travel, Retz arrived in Tiffauges in Vendée. He found an old abandoned farmhouse that provided shelter and was able to fill his need for a workshop and studio. The closest town was a half-hour walk through the woods where he was able to find supplies. Retz found it prudent to change his habits and work during the day, when there was no need for artificial light that could be spotted from afar.
A few months after his arrival, he became immersed in the creation of his darkest work, entitled La chambre de Gilles de Rais. It remained undiscovered until after Retz death in 1962 when Retz's son donated the contents of his old studio to the Municipal Archives of Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire.
Death
After the war, Retz left France and settled in north London, England, where he died in 1962. He was filmed shortly before his death, which is the only surviving footage of him alive. Retz is rumoured to have died in Stroud Green, London, in 1962 - though the exact location is unknown, much like many details of his life.
There is currently a movement emerging to celebrate the man and his work by a company called 19;29, who are heavily infuenced by his work. A museum to Retz is due to open in early August 2010 in Stroud Green and a film of Retz's shown in conjunction with the museum.

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