When we open our eyes and dream we open our eyes

[sovay]

I have just returned from seeing Paprika (2006) at the Kendall Square Cinema with gaudior and eredien and other cool people I don't see often enough; they invited me on the theory that I would be interested by virtue of subject matter and they were right. This was the first film-length anime I have ever seen and I loved it. At different points in its plot, it reminded me of Patricia McKillip's Fool's Run, Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash, and Neil Gaiman's The Sandman, but mostly it seems to have been reminiscent of itself; it is about dreams and movies and some of the most eerily catchy music I have ever heard. I am not sure that I should attempt to provide anything like a plot summary, but I would suggest you not miss it. I may try to see it again myself.

Planted in the future, we live two lives
All to reveal a secret we can't hide . . .
—Sam Phillips, "How To Dream"

Comments

[yukihada.livejournal.com]

I do wish that were playing nearer to my city. I love Satoshi Kon's films (Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers.) This trailer looks fabulous.

I'm glad you mentioned it b/c I had not heard of this film before and now must look forward to its wider release or DVD.

[sovay]

I love Satoshi Kon's films (Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers.)

I would like to see more of his work. What are the ones you've seen like? (If that's an answerable question . . .)

[yukihada.livejournal.com]

Tokyo Godfathers is a fairly straightforward film as far as linear narrative goes. The basic premise of this comedy is that three homeless people find an abandoned child at Christmas time -- an alcoholic middle-aged man, a transvestite and a young slightly belligerent young woman. They all sort of take the dys out of dysfunction and create a little family for awhile. Heartwarming, funny, dark at moments.

Millenium Actress involves a reporter going to interview an aged actress who has been in a variety of pictures from childhood. As he speaks with her, her life unravels in a very non-linear fashion as a love story that is intertwined with the characters she played and a faceless man. The films that coincide, twist and turn into her life events are staples of Asian cinema -- a war film, outer space, Heian era, and even warring ninja clan movies.

Perfect Blue I have not seen but is perhaps the more popular of the three.


Paprika looks like it is the most experimental of all the movies.

I hope that helps.