The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Hosada, R3)

[Steven H]

Korean DVD company CJ Entertainment is putting out Hosada Mamoru's The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, with english subtitles, on Sept. 24th. This was easily one of my favorite new films this year, and its definitely the kind of thing all those who were mildly dissapointed with Tales of the Earthsea should search out. Its recieved a number of awards in animation, and wikipedia had this to say about its reception in Japan:

The film wasn't advertised as frequently as other animation features from 2006 (such as "Tales from Earthsea"), but word of mouth and glowing reviews generated interest. At Theatre Shinjuku for days in a row, filmgoers would fill the theater, some even standing to watch the film. Following this, distribution company Kadokawa Herald Pictures took unprecedented measures to increase the number of theaters showing the film across Japan, and sent the film to several international festivals.

And to also have Yamamoto Nizou (Princess Mononoke, Grave of the Fireflies) as the art director cannot but have helped. I'll be buying this in a flash.

edit: also, according to 125100 in the Anime Recommendations Thread:

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is pretty good, and available in a gorgeous Korean edition available Here & Here

[Michael Kerpan]

My comments on the Japanese DVD release -- and a few screen captures.

[Steven H]

My comments on the Japanese DVD release -- and a few screen captures.

Ah, thanks for posting that Michael. Believe it or not, I was going to link to your comments, but all I could find was the review of the film screening (I think) in an earlier post. Much appreciated.

Its probably important to note here that the linked review applies to the unsubtitled Japanese DVD, and other than bootleg form. This is the first time The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is available with english subtitles, otherwise I wouldn't have posted about it.

[Michael Kerpan]

Kadokawa's screener DVD (shown at MIT by Hosoda) _had+ subtitles -- so I thought their commercially-issued Japanese DVD would also have them.. Alas....

I suppose a subbed HK release could always pop up suddenly -- but I haven't heard of one yet.

Lovely film -- I hope it gets a good reception in North America.

[Steven H]

I posted some thoughts on this here, but I especially liked what Doug Cummings over at filmjourney.org had to say about it:

It's exciting to see a Japanese animated feature that further cements the genre's dramatic tradition apart from its staples of violence and sensationalism that so often define it, and Makoto's developmental journey is ennobled by her ethical journey. As plot-heavy as the film becomes, its message is ultimately about the insufficiency of endlessly reformulating or becoming lost in time. As the film repeatedly points out, "time waits for no one," endearingly suggesting that a rewarding life is often less about avoiding mistakes than seizing new opportunities--a far and welcome cry from the usual fanboy escapism.

One of the things that really struck me about The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is that it never shrugs off its environment, and like so many great science fiction films, lets nature play a massive role in setting the mood. There's always a stream or lake, birds are rendered realistically, and the characters usually seem small framed against a larger world. I really hope any animation fans go looking for this, as I don't see it being very disappointing for many. Kondo's Whispers of the Heart, Takahata's Only Yesterday, and maybe a few other modern asian films (Ichikawa, Iwai) with some long shots and quiet moments would be good points of comparison.

[125100]

Mine arrived this morning, strangely, 3 days before release?

Anyway, I can't recommend this film highly enough... if this was a Studio Ghibli release you wouldn't be disappointed. The Korean Limited Edition DVD is also excellent, beautifully packaged and the subs are pretty good for an Asian release.

Edit: Echoing the posts above I would say that stylistically this film is definitely similar to Only Yesterday although I do prefer this. There's also something about it that reminds me of The Cat Returns (sequel to Whisper of the Heart, which I regrettably haven't seen) so you're bang on there Steven.

[Michael Kerpan]

I assume there are no English subs on the extras?

I think this is considerably better than "The Cat Returns {a Favor}", but not quite at the level of "Only Yesterday". Very close to the level of "Whisper of the Heart".

[Steven H]

But there is something in the connection to the Cat Returns, but not in its flimsiness of character or storyline, but maybe in the animation, which uses 3D layering effect not to shortcut the creative process or distract, but attempt to do one of the thing Norstein does which is use space in an interesting way. Most modern cartoons use this, of course, but I feel there's a kinship between these two films and their broader animation emphasis. I'll have to go back and watch The Cat Returns, not exactly too tempting a thought, and compare to be more specific.

Its also important to note that although Whisper of the Heart shared a couple of characters with The Cat Returns, it isn't a sequel (especially not in the way most people are familiar with animated sequels.) It also just doesn't have the same punch, which probably has something to do with it originally being made for a theme park installation.

[Michael Kerpan]

I need to re-visit Cat -- simply to pay attention to the _voice_ of the heroine -- supplied by Chizuru Ikewaki -- who undoubtedly is one of the very best young actresses of Japan today. If anyone has the potential to inherit the mantle of Kinuyo Tanaka, I think it is CI. (I'm hoping equally promising Aoi Miyazaki can at least partially fill Setsuko Hara's spot).

[125100]

(I'm hoping equally promising Aoi Miyazaki can at least partially fill Setsuko Hara's spot).

Scarlett Johansson the new Marilyn Monroe... Maybe

Audrey Tautou the new Audrey Hepburn... Perhaps

Aoi Miyazaki the new Setsuko Hara? That's like describing Saturday Night Live as comedy

[Michael Kerpan]

Aoi Miyazaki the new Setsuko Hara? That's like describing Saturday Night Live as comedy

SNL WAS great comedy -- once upon a time.

Setsuko Hara was a comparatively slow bloomer -- she was mainly known for her (bewitchingly) sweet and shy demeanor in her teen years. Her first really distinctive performance as a grown-up actress didn't come until she was 26 years old -- in Kurosawa's "No Regrets". That means Aoi M has until 2011....

Miyazaki has done a couple of leading voice acting roles -- in the sweet (but flawed) "Someday's Dreamers" and in "Gin-iro no Kami no Agito" (not yet seen).

Have you seen Chizuru Ikewaki in any of her _real_ film roles yet?

[manicsounds]

A single disc Hong Kong region 3 will be released in October with English subtitles, for the more economic people out there, and for people who don't want unsubbed extras.

[esl]

Setsuko Setsuko Hara was a comparatively slow bloomer

Speaking of which, I came across this youtube clip earlier today: Setsuko Hara

[Michael Kerpan]

Setsuko Setsuko Hara was a comparatively slow bloomer

Speaking of which, I came across this youtube clip earlier today: Setsuko Hara

It is really strange to see this in color -- as AK's film itself is black and white. ;~}

[125100]

SNL WAS great comedy -- once upon a time.

I'd never seen an episode until I started traveling to the US for work but from what I've seen it's terrible, still it did produce some comedy legends so I imagine it was brilliant at some point.

Setsuko Hara was a comparatively slow bloomer -- she was mainly known for her (bewitchingly) sweet and shy demeanor in her teen years. Her first really distinctive performance as a grown-up actress didn't come until she was 26 years old -- in Kurosawa's "No Regrets". That means Aoi M has until 2011....

I'm not saying Aoi Miyazaki won't be just as good an actress in terms of ability, I'm merely pointing out that Hara had Ozu, Kurosawa, and Naruse directing her. In Japan at the moment there really isn't any filmmakers of that caliber (outside of the Anime industry) to give her the stage Hara had...

Have you seen Chizuru Ikewaki in any of her _real_ film roles yet?

No, I'm really hoping to see Strawberry Shortcakes soon but I'm not really a big fan of modern Japanese cinema anymore. When I was 16 I saw Battle Royale and I loved it so much I went through a phase as a Japan-o-phile but beyond Battle Royale, the charming Densha Otoko, and Tony Takitani there's really not much of any note. Now the "Korean New-Wave..." that's where it's at my friend :p

[Michael Kerpan]

I'm not saying Aoi Miyazaki won't be just as good an actress in terms of ability, I'm merely pointing out that Hara had Ozu, Kurosawa, and Naruse directing her. In Japan at the moment there really isn't any filmmakers of that caliber (outside of the Anime industry) to give her the stage Hara had...

I am looking forward to seeing her in Aoyama's "Sad Vacation". She has the ability to carries scenes -- with little or no talking. She is excellent in the recent "Hatsukoi" -- which is a really fine film until it runs out of steam right before the end. Enough good points to make it worth seeing all the same (in addition to AM herself).

No, I'm really hoping to see Strawberry Shortcakes soon but I'm not really a big fan of modern Japanese cinema anymore. When I was 16 I saw Battle Royale and I loved it so much I went through a phase as a Japan-o-phile but beyond Battle Royale, the charming Densha Otoko, and Tony Takitani there's really not much of any note. Now the "Korean New-Wave..." that's where it's at my friend :p

I will agree there may be no Ozus or Mizoguchis in Japan today -- but there aren't any anywhere else either. I am quite familiar with Korean cinema (and likes a lot of it) -- but disagree that it is markedly better than Japanese cinema. It certainly IS far better marketed to the West, however.

Case in point -- the film that is the subject of this thread. A Korean product this good would be getting far more attention in the West.

(Further discussion of Japan vs. Korea really would be require a new thread)

[125100]

(Further discussion of Japan vs. Korea really would be require a new thread)

You should so start that topic lol I'll get my gloves on for Korea

Anyhoo, back on topic, is it just me or does anyone else feel western fans of this film seem to have a chip on their collective shoulders about this film being underexposed??? There's even a reference on wikipedia...

"The film wasn't advertised as frequently as other animation features from 2006 (such as "Tales from Earthsea"), but word of mouth and glowing reviews generated interest."

As someone who works in Japan quite frequently let me say that this is rubbish. The truth is Madhouse hammered the publicity for this film in Japan, I know I couldn't escape it. Plus this movie's inspired by a popular novel so it was never really off the radar. Even Earthsea wasn't promoted much more than this, it just rightly attracted more attention/interest (especially in the west) because it's a Ghibli.

[Michael Kerpan]

Even Earthsea wasn't promoted much more than this, it just rightly attracted more attention/interest (especially in the west) because it's a Ghibli.

Rightly?

I have no idea about the relative promotion of GWLTT and Earthsea in Japan -- but I do know that Earthsea was a major disappointment to me -- and that I consider it artistically unsuccessful (regardless of the cash it brought in). Without the Ghibli brand name attached, Earthsea would have _rightly_ sunk like a stone.

[125100]

Rightly?

I have no idea about the relative promotion of GWLTT and Earthsea in Japan -- but I do know that Earthsea was a major disappointment to me -- and that I consider it artistically unsuccessful (regardless of the cash it brought in). Without the Ghibli brand name attached, Earthsea would have _rightly_ sunk like a stone.

It was a disappointment, no doubt, but Studio Ghibli have so much pedigree it's only fair their releases create a buzz because they (usually) deserve it. With retrospect GWLTT is a much better film and reviews soon showed that but who was to know? Anyhoo Ponyo's coming soon, by then this and Earthsea will have faded into anime obscurity while we bask in Ghibli glory.

[Steven H]

...while we bask in Ghibli glory.

You never know. I enjoyed Howl's Moving Castle, but it seemed a little hollow compared to Spirited Away (and he never should have signed off on Earthsea). Hard to tell if this is a bump in a smooth road, or something more telling, but I'm more excited about Hosada's promise than anything else on the horizon (barring Takahata working on something new).