Movie Rec: Satoshi Kon
This was originally going to be a post about Perfect Blue (1997), but then I remembered how good Millennium Actress (2001) is and had to include that as well.
There are only a couple of movies that I've watched more than once. I don't watch many movies to begin with. But Perfect Blue I've watched at least 3 times and once in theatres. I do have to warn you, it has some... unsettling scenes. I wouldn't watch it with your parents. Or with anyone under 21. But this film has an intensity and mind-bending story with an addictive quality to it. It begs to be rewatched. Super quick summary, the story follows a young woman as she transitions from beloved pop singer to hopeful television star. Along the way, she finds out that her fans are following her journey with intent, sometimes knowing more about her than she even knows about herself.
Millennium Actress is much more family friendly. This is another film I have rewatched. Unfortunately, I have never seen it in theatres. I can only assume it would be spectacular. But the story is about an aging actress who is being interviewed about her life and career. The story unfolds, jumping from movie scene to movie scene, era to era, blurring the lines between the plots of the films she acted in and the story of her real life.
Oh, last note, these are Japanese, animated films. So be prepared to read the subtitles if, like me, you don't speak Japanese.
Yours Truly,
[Redacted]