Millennium Actress
by Satoshi Kon
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Fumiko Orikasa, Mami Koyama, Miyoko Sh?ji, Sh?z? ?zuka, Shouko TsudaDirector: Satoshi Kon
Brand: Paramount
Cinematographer: Hisao Shirai
Writer: Satoshi Kon
Editor: Satoshi Terauchi
Producer: Taro Maki
Writer: Sadayuki Murai
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: Japanese (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled)
Format: AC-3, Anamorphic, Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 87 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-10-28
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Dreamworks Video
Movie Reviews of Millennium Actress
Movie Review: A Fantasy of Film and Dreams
Summary: 5 Stars
It was after being exposed to such films as 'Princess Mononoke' and 'Spirited Away' that I went to a local retailer for what I hoped would be more of the same. This was several years ago, but then, as now, the selection of Anime feature films that are not lifted directly from a television series are few and far between, which is unfortunate, since this genre offers a unique method of storytelling which could be awkward and unappealing, if not impossible, in a live action effort. Unfortunate too are the chances that any full length independent feature, at least what is offered to Western viewers, will tread on similar ground as those that have come before.
Thankfully, then, we have such films as 'Millenium Actress' and a few others which do not slip neatly into the commonly perceived boundries of this genre, and, to me, hold their own against any other type of film. At heart a dual story of unrequited and unrealized love, I felt it rose above even that catagorization to touch on some deeper, more subtle themes, and in a manner reminiscent of classical literature coupled with complex technique and plain old fashioned movie fun.
The fabled Genei Studios (a stand in for Toho Studios) is in the process of being torn down. A documentarian, Genya, and his cameraman, Kyoji, track down the face of Genei Studios, the legendary actress Chiyoko Fujiwara, who has lived in seclusion several years after making her last film. Now in her 70's, the still elegant Chiyoko has granted Genya an interview in return for a memento he has brought her from her studio days.
As Chiyoko tells the story of her life for the documentary, a curious blend of fact and fantasy and memory begins. At first, it has all the trappings of a normal flashback, except to the surprise of Genya and his cameraman, the power of the memory is so strong that it incorporates them into the story as well, and, initially at least, they are passive observers to events 60 years old. Here they watch as Chiyoko, a pre-adolescent girl during the years before WWII, meets and then assists and then falls in love with an anti-government agitator - a painter, wounded, and on the run from the authorities. Although she tries to help, the police close in and the painter is forced to flee.
At this point, Chiyoko's memory merges into film history - excerpts from her earliest film role, as explained by Genya to his cameraman while they watch, parallel her life's events. Obsessed with her painter, Chiyoko begins her career as an actress simply as a way to chase after him, first to Manchuria, and then skipping across the country, always a step behind. Interspersed with her history are scenes from films (always with Genya and Kyoji tagging along), which also feature a heroine in search of her love. Genya takes a more and more active role in her memories and in the film excerpts, and slowly it becomes apparent that Genya has been chasing Chiyoko almost as long as she had been chasing her painter.
Some viewers may find 'Millenium Actress' confusing at first - I did. Like most anime films, there is not a lot of explanation prior to engulfing the audience in its own quirky universe. Real world events blend into personal history which in turns fades into popular film that is then hijacked by the kind-hearted Genya as he tries to help his actress in any way that he can. He and his cameraman ricochet (often comically so) from Kurosawa type samurai films to Godzilla to dynastic period films as they follow Chiyoko as she in turn trails after her painter to the very limits of imagination. What catapults this film out of the strictly romantic and into another far subtler realm of human obsession are the last words of the film, spoken as Chiyoko begins her final journey.
This effort was in part a Dreamworks production, though what degree of infuence they may have had is difficult to know. The film has a thorough authentic feel to it, and in the extra 'making-of' segment, it's apparent that all the principal players were Japanese. Some may not appreciate the lack of an English sound track, but I do not feel that this detracted from the movie at all.
Aside from the storyline, the animation in this effort far exceeds the director's previous film 'Perfect Blue' (In my opinion, everything about 'Millenium Actress' exceeds 'Perfect Blue'). The only drawback that I noticed was the music, which I felt was to cloying. A mixture of J-pop and swelling 'heart string' music, I felt it interfered more than helped.
Very enjoyable, though, and highly recommended to fans of all film.
Summary of Millennium Actress
A movie studio is being torn down. Tv interviewer genya tachibana has tracked down its most famous star Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 05/01/2007 Starring: Miyoko Shji Fumiko Orikasa Run time: 87 minutes Rating: Pg Director: Satoshi KonThe second film by director Satoshi Kon and screenwriter Sadayuki Murai recalls Perfect Blue, but Millennium Actress is a more complex, subtle, and sophisticated work that evokes the history of Japanese cinema. After nearly 30 years of living in strict seclusion, the aged film star Chioyoko Fujiwara grants an interview to journalist Genya Tachibana. As their conversation begins, Kan intercuts scenes from Chioyoko's films with her memories of pursuing the mysterious artist she met as a young girl. Accompanied by his blas? cameraman, Tashibana finds himself within Chioyoko's memories and films, alternately observing and aiding the woman he adores. Kon's skillful direction and subtle use of color strengthen the intriguing story: Chioyoko's memories are rendered in shades of gray, with hints of muted color highlighting the overall composition. American viewers will find their appreciation of this shimmering, spiral narrative deepens with repeated viewings. (Rated PG: violence, mature themes) --Charles Solomon
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