What is the film Papillon about?

Papillon (Butterfly) is an animated short film by Florence Miailhe that tells the story of Alfred Nakache, a French-Jewish swimmer who was stripped of his citizenship and sent to Auschwitz.

Who was Alfred Nakache?

Alfred Nakache was a world-record-holding French-Jewish swimmer who overcame his fear of water, competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and was persecuted during the Vichy regime.

What animation techniques were used in Papillon?

Papillon was hand-animated by Florence Miailhe on sheets of glass directly under the camera, using oils, pastels, and sand to create a richly textured and layered visual experience.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Filmmaker Honors Jewish Swimmer Denied Citizenship

Filmmaker Honors Jewish Swimmer Denied Citizenship

24 Feb

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Summary

Short film Papillon highlights swimmer Alfred Nakache's life.
Nakache was a world-record holder stripped of citizenship.
The film uses unique hand-animation techniques.

Filmmaker Honors Jewish Swimmer Denied Citizenship

The animated short film Papillon (Butterfly) by Florence Miailhe illuminates the poignant life of French-Jewish swimmer Alfred Nakache. Nakache, a world-record holder, faced ostracism and was stripped of his citizenship under Vichy France, later being sent to Auschwitz.

The film's creation involved a distinctive hand-animation technique where Miailhe worked directly on glass, using oils, pastels, and sand. This method creates a textured, almost tactile experience of Nakache's journey, from his early life in Algeria and Olympic participation to his persecution and survival.