Heisei Tanuki Gassen Pon Poko
"Heisei period [modern] racoon-dog wars pon poko"
Racoon Wars

From ???@??? Mon Feb 08 16:15:15 1999
To: anime
From: Kiki
Subject: Heisei Tanuki Gassen Pon Poko, wednesday!

Eeks, I thought I sent this out friday!  Gomenasai, mina-san!  [Sorry, everybody-san! :) ]

This week's movie is about Japanese Tanuki or raccoons.

nausicaa.net says:  "Tanuki (animals native to Asia which look like raccoons) living in the forest near a government construction project, are being threatened by the destruction of their habitat. Banding together and seeking help from other tribes of Tanuki, they live up to their traditionally mischievous reputation by changing their shape and trying to sabotage the construction effort."

Traditionally, the tanuki are inherently mischevious and playful, and this trait seems to constantly get in the way of their plans.  They also have a mythical ability to transform into other objects, and they work to reawaken this ancient "art" to aid in their plot to halt human development.

Half-playful, half-serious, this movie combines many drawing styles to punch up the humor of the characters.

I'm a little nervous reading this film -- I look forward to it, though!!  There's a lot of dialog, plot twists, and Japanese culteral references.  This is the first time I'll be reading this script, so I hope I don't mess up too much! :) I intend to pause here and there, explain things [as best as I understand] and read occational helpful notes.  There's so, so, so much stuff in this film, that seeing it once is not really enough to understand all of it, esp. as an American viewer.

There's an excellent FAQ at http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/pompoko/faq.html, and I highly recommend you read it, if you can.  It will reference parts of the movie [no real spoilers] which you may not understand yet, but it'll give you something in your mind when those parts come up.  I'll read relevent pieces too, during the movie.

Oh, and one last thing: This movie contains some..<ahem>..low-class humor, involving..<ahem>..tanuki testicles.  The Japanese have a lot more tolerance for this humor than Americans.  The tanuki are believed to have very large testicles.  Thay are *not* a sexual symbol, but are believed to bring good luck.  I considered not warning you folks -- it's easier to just take it in stride, like the nudity in Ranma 1/2 -- but, well, it might also offend someone if they're not prepared for it.  Great movie for adolescent boys, though. :) :)

The movie also has a serious side.  And not just because it's about the destruction of forests.  nausicaa.net says: "'Pom Poko' was basically the story of how the liberal movements in post-war Japan failed, according to Miyazaki."  There's a pessimistic overtone to the film -- not the usual ram-it-down-your-throat environmentalism you get in American films either.  There's a lot to think about after watching this movie.

Excellent visuals -- esp. the Ghost Parade in the middle of the films which is absolutely *breathtaking*!  One of the deepest, most complex plots you'll find at Ghibli.  Wonderful, playful characters, and interesting character design and drawing styles.

Again, the culture is overflowing in this movie.  There's still a lot I don't fully understand, nor am able to explain.  Just come and watch.  I guarantee you'll enjoy the show!

What: Heisei Tanuki Gassen Pon Poko -- "Heisei-period [present] Tanuki Battle Pon Poko"
Where: Bugville screening room [old building, as usual]
When: this wednesday, 6:30 eat, 7:30 movie

Mail your pizza wishes by 4 wednesday!  Hope to see you there!

Kiki