In this blog post, I’ll explore the plot and character development of the film “Josee, the Tiger and the Fish,” the love and breakup between Josee and Tsuneo, the directorial choices in scenes depicting the conflict with Kanae, and my personal reflections on the changes and growth of love. Introduction “Josee, the Tiger and the Fish.” This film, with its long title that seems to be a list...
Why does ‘Josee, the Tiger and the Fish’ make even the end of love feel beautiful?
In this blog post, I’d like to discuss the way love is portrayed in this film by exploring everything from why I came to love ‘Josee, the Tiger and the Fish’ to the personalities and relationships of the main characters—including Josee and Tsuneo—how it differs from conventional romance films, and the direction and meaning behind the scenes that left a lasting impression on me. ...
What does “heaven” mean to Ageha, who has returned after finding her identity?
In this blog post, I’ll examine ‘Swallowtail Butterfly’ from the perspective of a fantasy adventure, focusing on Ageha’s journey to discover her identity, the world of Yen Town, her allies and adversaries, and the meaning of “heaven” as portrayed in the film. “Swallowtail Butterfly” Through the Lens of Fantasy On a certain portal site, “Swallowtail Butterfly” is listed under...
The place where she returned to find her identity—is it truly paradise?
In this blog post, I’d like to examine the process of Agheha’s growth and search for identity as depicted in ‘Swallowtail Butterfly’, as well as the film’s themes and messages revealed through its fantasy-adventure format. Why Is ‘Swallowtail Butterfly’ a Fantasy? On one portal site, ‘Swallowtail Butterfly’ is listed under the genre “Drama/Noir.”...
What Remains in August Without Him? Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Record of Life and Absence
In this blog post, I’d like to share my thoughts on Hirokazu Kore-eda’s documentary ‘August Without Him’, focusing on why I chose this film, its observational and poetic style, and the meaning of absence revealed in the process of documenting a person’s life and death. Reasons for Choosing Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Documentary My reasons can be divided into two categories. First, I...
How does ‘Ghost in the Shell’ explore the concept of self in artificial intelligence at the boundary between humans and machines?
In this blog post, I’ll examine whether machines can possess a self and mind like humans—through the artificial intelligence and cyborgs featured in the movie ‘Ghost in the Shell’—and consider how the intentionality of artificial intelligence differs from human emotions. The movie ‘Ghost in the Shell’ depicts a future where technological advancements have led to the...
How Does ‘Ghost in the Shell’ Redefine “Life”?
In this blog post, I’ll examine the issues of human identity and the nature of life raised by the movie ‘Ghost in the Shell’, and consider whether we need to redefine the concept of life in light of advances in science and technology. I had long known that “Ghost in the Shell” was the film that inspired “The Matrix,” so it was a movie I had always wanted to see at least once...
Why Is ‘Swing Girls’ Such a Charming School Comedy?
In this blog post, I’ll examine the appeal of the school comedy genre as portrayed in the movie ‘Swing Girls’ and the structure of its recurring humor. Before we begin Personally, I chose “Swing Girls” because I love school-based stories. In particular, I’m drawn to the subtleties of the late teens—middle and high school—a time when, outwardly, they don’t differ much from...
Why Are Sidekicks Important in ‘Spirited Away’?
In this blog post, I’ll examine the role of sidekicks in the adventure fantasy genre through the lens of ‘Spirited Away’. Why Do I Love the “Fantasy” Genre? From a structural perspective, “drama” is the “art of temporal arrangement.” The writer dramatically portrays a meaningful life within the limited time the audience spends watching the screen. This allotted time does not...
Why Should Mainstream Films Embrace Surrealist Elements?
In this blog post, I will examine the potential and necessity of surrealist visual language in mainstream cinema by comparing and analyzing director Shunji Iwai’s film ‘Undo’ with the masterpieces of director Luis Buñuel. Most mainstream films we commonly see today are composed of a sequence of shots designed to convey a story. While narrative delivery is certainly an important...