Post by mikef6 on Nov 26, 2017 2:31:45 GMT
Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai / Keiichi Hara (2015). This anime bio-pic is based on a manga which is based on the life of the 19th century Japanese artist Katsushika Ōi (called O-Ei in the film and manga), the daughter of the celebrated but eccentric artist Katsushika Hokusai. She was born about 1800. The film begins when Ei is in her late teens and (with the exception of a short epilogue) covers the years of her burgeoning talent, of her close relationship with her younger sister who was born blind and sickly, and of her first sexual experience (the film is rated PG-13 in the U.S.). It is not told within a character arc, but episodically. The film also includes some supernatural elements which are not clear whether they are to taken literally or imagined. The animation is gorgeous, as animes often are, but the lack of any narrative thrust made it slow going for me. Still, recommended for a picture of the life of an artist in early 19th century Japan. This Wikipedia link shows some of Miss Hokusai’s work.
Katsushika Ōi
Loving Vincent / Dorota Kobiela & Hugh Welchman (2017). Vincent Van Gogh would rise early and leave for a site to paint. He would stay all day at the site then come home and sit up late writing long letters to his brother, Theo. His salutation was often, “With a warm handshake, loving Vincent.” According to this film, Vincent’s last letter before his death was never mailed. The landlord at the inn where Vincent died, held on to it for two years before turning it over to a friend of Vincent’s, the postmaster Joseph Roulin (Chris O’Dowd). Roulin turned the task of delivering the letter to his son. Armand (Douglas Booth). Armand rebels at first, but after arriving at the French village where Van Gogh last lived, he becomes obsessed with how the painter died. All of this would be interesting enough, but the story is presented in rotoscope animation and then each frame hand painted in Van Gogh style, based on the master’s real life paintings of the scenes and people.
Van Gogh’s Portraits of Joseph and Armand Roulin
This animation style threatens to overwhelm the narrative but once the movie gets going, one comes to appreciate how the style fits the story. Also featured prominently is the psychiatrist treating Van Gogh in his last days, Dr. Gachet (Jerome Flynn) and his daughter, Marguerite (Saoirse Ronan).
Portrait of Dr. Gachet
Portrait of Marguerite Gachet
This is a must-see for lovers of Van Gogh’s art.
P.S. The alternate theory explored in this film of how Vincent Van Gogh died was introduced in the 2011 book "Van Gogh: The Life" by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith.
Katsushika Ōi
Loving Vincent / Dorota Kobiela & Hugh Welchman (2017). Vincent Van Gogh would rise early and leave for a site to paint. He would stay all day at the site then come home and sit up late writing long letters to his brother, Theo. His salutation was often, “With a warm handshake, loving Vincent.” According to this film, Vincent’s last letter before his death was never mailed. The landlord at the inn where Vincent died, held on to it for two years before turning it over to a friend of Vincent’s, the postmaster Joseph Roulin (Chris O’Dowd). Roulin turned the task of delivering the letter to his son. Armand (Douglas Booth). Armand rebels at first, but after arriving at the French village where Van Gogh last lived, he becomes obsessed with how the painter died. All of this would be interesting enough, but the story is presented in rotoscope animation and then each frame hand painted in Van Gogh style, based on the master’s real life paintings of the scenes and people.
Van Gogh’s Portraits of Joseph and Armand Roulin
This animation style threatens to overwhelm the narrative but once the movie gets going, one comes to appreciate how the style fits the story. Also featured prominently is the psychiatrist treating Van Gogh in his last days, Dr. Gachet (Jerome Flynn) and his daughter, Marguerite (Saoirse Ronan).
Portrait of Dr. Gachet
Portrait of Marguerite Gachet
This is a must-see for lovers of Van Gogh’s art.
P.S. The alternate theory explored in this film of how Vincent Van Gogh died was introduced in the 2011 book "Van Gogh: The Life" by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith.
