'Donkey Skin' takes place in an amorphous medieval kingdom of a king, his queen, and their beautiful daughter, the princess. When the queen dies, the king takes an oath that he will only marry a woman more beautiful than she. Unable to find such a woman, the king settles upon the unlikely candidate of his daughter. In horror the princess flees, helped by her sassy fairy godmother. Mystical, surreal, and fantastical events as well as several musical numbers by Demy's long-time collaborator, Michel Legrand, lead the princess to flee the castle in the skin of her father's favourite donkey. Her new existence as a filthy scullion named 'Donkey Skin' is thankless and sad, and the princess longs for love. When a neighbouring Prince comes to town a romance is born, bringing this extravagantly filmed, whimsical and decorative tale full circle.