Millennium Actress

I can only regret that for so long Satoshi Kon was nothing more to me than just the creator of the now legendary Paprika. His earlier films struck me as small artistic experiments worth getting to only in a moment of leisure. But as I made my way through time to Chiyoko, it finally occurred to me what a great genius her creator was and what a huge loss it is that only four feature films came after it. He was unique in that his signature is not as immediately recognizable as those of his other famous peers. Perhaps only by having a beautiful, shy-looking girl in the lead role and by the musical aspect of Susumu Hirasawa's yodeling choruses. So why did I find Millennium Actress so enchanting? It is from its affection both for the audience and equally for the medium of film. There have been enough love letters dedicated to cinematography, but this one understands its audience. When a documentary filmmaker tearfully and passionately recites his idol's most famous lines, he speaks from the soul to all those who have ever looked at a movie poster with emotion. When combined with the universal and heavily used inspiring message that it's not the destination, it's the journey, you simply have no emotional defense. (16.10.2022)

Thousands of nights passed, thousands of faces of the moon she could see, but she still lived only in that one night under that one moon. I don't understand why I still can't get over it. The first movie that makes my hands shake. I really don't understand how something like that could have been made. I really don't understand how anyone could put such a perfectly fitting soundtrack to it. I know I don't really get it much, but one thing – a movie like this is only born once for me. Will I ever get a more powerful cinematic experience? 14 Nov 2010 Seen again and I'm still hoping – maybe even more than after the first viewing – for "itsuka kitto". ^^ (16.07.2009)