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The Japanime Low Down
(part 1)
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Not to cast any aspersions on the fine work of the people
who constructed the Japanime 02 website,
we here at Heroic Cinema know how frustrating it can be to
peruse a festival program with necessarily limited information.
In an attempt to flesh out the films on offer at the festival
this year, we are featuring in two parts a run down on the
low down on as many films as we can humanly manage! (and not,
mind you in any particular order or importance - damnit they're
all the bomb!). Bit of info, bit of goss, a few extra
resources and you will, like us, be wallowing in happy animated
bliss.
So read on and good luck with trying to decide on which
ones not to see!
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1001 NIGHTS [SENYA ICHIYA MONOGATARI]
Dir. Eiichi Yamamoto, Osamu Tezuka 100 min Dubbed
Made in 1969, and according to some reports, this is one of
the first, most openly erotic anime features to have ever
been produced. It was certainly one of the first anime deliberately
aimed at an adult audience. While Tezuka might not be generally
known for erotic content, his narratives were usually anything
but unintelligent and this film will at the very least be
one film to challenge those Astro Boy era preconceptions.
Created by Tezuka's Mushi Productions (Japan's first TV animation
studio) in an effort to make a profit, this film is awfully
hard (read impossible) to get a hold of, and its screening
at Japanime can mean only one thing - you will probably never
get another chance to see it. If you're an anime history buff,
dig the sexy side, or like your anime to have a decidedly
mature flavor, this one might well be worth checking out.
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ADOLESCENCE OF UTENA [SHOUJO KAKUMEI
UTENA]
Dir. Kunihiko Ikuhara 2000 87 min Subtitled
I've already briefly mentioned this one in the primer, and
the initial press release mentioned Utena was "the
latest pinup girl on the gay and lesbian film festival circuit".
Well, understandably so. Despite the proliferation of the
'bishounen' ('beautiful boy') anime out there, this is one
title which quite consciously breaks even those quite readily
accepted gender conventions (within manga and anime at least!).
Visually, expect a Clamp-like treatment - gorgeous and graceful.
Narrative-wise, this standard boy-as-hero story is going to
be made very un-standard by this deliberate role reversal.
For a little more info, there's the official Utena
the Movie website. Check it out.
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AKIRA
Dir. Katsuhiro Otomo 1988, re-mastered 2001 124 min Dubbed
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE of NEW 35mm DIGITALLY REMASTERED AND REDUBBED
PRINT
Good lord what more can be said about this film? Not only
is it a classic, and a masterpiece, and pretty much every
other superlative that's ever been associated with it, it's
something that if you actually want to call yourself an anime
fan, you absolutely have to see.
Check out my DVD review or try the
official
movie website (which is the bomb, might I add, no pun
intended).
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BAREFOOT GEN [HADASHI GEN]
Dir. Masaki Mori 1983 85 min Subtitled
Perhaps a still controversial subject because it elicits
such a strong emotional response (needless to say that is
an understatement), the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima
is something that has been reflecting in Japan's national
culture ever since, from the heart-wrenching, almost terrifying
spectacle of Bhuto, to the infamous Toho Studios monster movies.
In the medium of animation, Barefoot Gen stands, along
with Grave of the Fireflies, as a film far too courageous
to ignore. Manga artist and Hiroshima native Keiji Nakazawa
was only seven years old when his city was destroyed and this
film, based on his work, is by no means easy to mwatch. In
fact, it's quite often horrific and frightening and deeply
disturbing - everything a film about the use of nuclear weapons
ought to be. But its deliberately personal narrative offers
something that the irredeemably tragic narrative of Grave
of the Fireflies didn't - hope. I fully recommend this
film. But take some tissues. I guarantee you'll need them.
For a little more about the original manga - Black Moon's Barefoot Gen
website.
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BLUE SUBMARINE [AONO ROKUGO]
Dir. Mahiro Maeda 1998 120 mins Dubbed
It is my personal opinion that anime is at its best when
the means supports the meaning. Giant robots, spectacular
magical duels, mind-bogglingly advanced technologies aside,
there needs to be reason, heart, something that makes us feel,
or really there is little point (this could be argued for
a lot of big blockbuster movies I could but won't mention…).
Fortunately, Blue Submarine No. 6 is not going to be
a film to be mean with meaning. Director Maeda's intention
from the outset was to create a story-driven spectacle, and
it can be argued that is precisely the result. Visually awe-inspiring,
deeply thought-provoking, with character design by the immensely
talented Range Murata, this is a film as distinctive as it
is beautiful.
Akadot has a spectacular article
on this film.
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COWBOY BEBOP, THE MOVIE [AKA: KNOCKING
ON HEAVEN'S DOOR]
Dir. Shinichiro Watanabe 2001 120 mins Dubbed Australian Premiere
There's only one word you really need to hear in relation
to Cowboy Bebop, and that's COOL - irreversible, mind-blowing
cool. But a few more words on the subject won't hurt, so I'd
like to make a point of saying if you miss this one, you will
be considered (at least by this reporter) as extremely un.
In terms of narrative, especially if you've become a Bebop
addict like I have, it is interesting to note that the events
of this film take place between Session #22 & Session
#23 of the series. The very deeply respected (practically
revered) source of Real
Folk Blues also goes on to mention that this film's plot
developments forever change the main character's previously
carefree life and go a long way to influencing the choices
he makes at the end of the series. Talk about cross-over!
Since the DVDs for those particular sessions aren't out until
November, I'm taking their word for it. Somehow, I doubt they're
wrong.
Another absolutely brilliant article
found at Akadot (I'm really starting to hate those guys…)
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ESCALFOWNE - A GIRL IN GAEA [TENKO NO
ESCAFLOWNE]
Dir. Kazuki Akane 2000 98 mins Subtitled
Anime abounds with parallel world escapism, where one seemingly
insignificant human boy or girl in this world is actually
a saviour in another. Where Escaflowne differs from
others however is in its deeply psychological appraoch, its
ability to pit harsh action against human emotion. Girl
in Gaea reportedly departs in a major way from the TV
series so if you happen to have had the opportunity, it is
suggested you leave your prejudices at the door. If you can
manage that or you never had them to start with, Escaflowne
is an utterly gorgeous example of its genre, with a stunning
soundtrack (by Hajime Mizoguchi andYoko Kanno of Bebop
fame!) and more than enough to transport you, even for a couple
of hours, to entirely another world.
Gorgeous website
much?
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MILLENIUM ACTRESS [SENNEN JOYU]
Dir. Satoshi Kon 2001 87 mins Subtitled
Perception bending seems to be Director Satoshi Kon's forte.
Perfect Blue examined identity in the new millennia-
Millennium Actress examines the memory of the past
as we travel from recollection to recollection over the life
time of a famous, lost actress. This is a film that knows
its history, knows where it came from, regardless that it
is an animated medium, and uses that to stark, touching effect
until the lines, again, begin to blur. Perhaps not as critical
of its subject matter as his previous effort, Millenium
Actress is still as near perfection as dramatic anime
gets.
Midnight Eye, the source on all things eiga, features
a thought-provoking article
on the film.
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PATLABOR 3
Dir. Fumihiko Takayama 2002 100 mins Subtitled
Australian Premiere
Much awaited, WXIII Patlabor will hopefully be a welcome
continuation to the superb quality of narrative, animation
and sound that the first two films were. This installment
is so hot off the press, the majority of information about
it is still in Japanese (and my language skills are no where
near that good). But if the other two are anything to go by
(and they will be) Patlabor 3 should deliver its trademark
mix of mystery, intelligent narrative, endearing and realistic
characters with a handful of action to add spice. Be assured,
what you will be witnessing is something of an institution
in serious anime, respected for very good reason.
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| THE SUSHI BOX 1 :
Hellsing
The Hellsing Organisation, dedicated to the protection of
life and the destruction of monsters, is suddenly overwhelmed
by a new, artificially engineered breed of menace, and the
best and strongest weapon they have at their disposal is Arucard,
rogue vampire and all-round scary MF. Be glad he's on your
side. Really. In the tradition of Vampire Hunter D,
this is being hailed as hardcore horror action, so don't expect
anything to like it if you're squeamish about 2D blood. However,
if hand-to-hand is your thing, Hellsing will likely leave
you swooning with delight.
Rather nice promotional website
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Berserk
With a hero named Guts, wielding a bastard sword and wandering
an unremittingly violent, medieval landscape, how the hell
can this go wrong? Hacking. Slashing. Blood and Glory. This
is not anime for the faint hearted. Based on one of the most
popular manga titles to date (yes we know, aren't they all?
But this one really is), created by Kentaro Miura and
spanning over 22 graphic novels, Beserk is sure
to get your heart pounding. Don't expect comedy relief here.
This is real, dark, epic stuff with more common with films
like Fistful of Dollars and Spartacus than Record
of Lodoss War. Bring it on.
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FLCL [Furi Kuri]
FLCL, otherwise known as Fooly Cooly, is the hottest
thing on the manga/anime scene at the moment and if you want
a lesson in how to have a bad day while simultaneously refining
your skills in denial, here's where you get it. Twelve-year
old Naota Nandaba is really just trying to lead a normal life,
but Tasuku, the big brother he idolises, has left him for
baseball stardom in the States and Tasuku's girlfriend has
taken a liking to him because he reminds her of Tasuku. Then
there's the chick on the Vespa that also seems to want to
hit on him. Literally. With a bass guitar. Oh and there's
something about robots springing from his head. But everything's
fine. Really it is. A six part OAV series with a rockin' soundtrack,
unpredictable story and hell cute character design; either
you'll love it or hate it. I'd put my money on love.
PS. Did I mention the rockin' soundtrack?
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So ends Part 1 of the Japanime Low Down. On to Part
2 !
Deni Stoner reporting
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H E R O I C * C I N E M A
http://www.heroic-cinema.com
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