The title sequence for ‘Catch Me If You Can’ from 2002 by the director’s /designer’s duo Kuntzel+Deygas is often credited as being the most influential animated title sequence of the decade. It certainly reopened the path for lavishly animated movie intros. In terms of visual style and narrative, the animated title sequence for the French buddy comedy ‘Le Cactus’ shares a lot of similarities with it predecessor. So, it’s not a surprise to learn that one of the designers, Olivier Marquézy of the design agency Deubal, actually worked, among other things, on the typography and layout of the ‘Catch Me If You Can’ opener.

In this title sequence, designers Stéphanie Lelong and Olivier Marquézy mix up a tasty cocktail inspired by the themes from the film’s main storyline. There’s the decorative backdrop of the cardiovascular system (one of the main characters of the film is a hypochondriac). The airplane motifs and the rickshaws refer to India, where a large part of the film takes place. “In a wider sense, you could say that all the inside body design patterns refer to India,” comments Olivier Marquézy.

In our view, ‘Le Cactus’ is a perfect example of a title sequence that completely outshines the film it was made for.

The French have a history of comedies with animated title sequences.  Especially in the 1960s and 1970s, this was common practice.

Deubal is a Paris, France-based creative agency founded by Stéphanie Lelong and Olivier Marquézy. Specializing in illustration-based motion design, print and animation, Deubal creates film title sequences, short films, music videos, children’s books, poster designs, and theater sets. Their work is often character-based.

more about Deubal

Full credits

Director (film)
Gérard Bitton & Michel Munz

Animation and design
Stéphanie Lelong and Olivier Marquézy/Deubal

Additional animation
Mathieu Decarli & Umaru Embalo

Music
Michel Muntz

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