Ranked #3922

Tenrankai no E

Today, we go on a 33-minute trip to an exhibition, a trip organised by Osamu Tezuka, and accompanying an orchestra that'll play a score based on a suite by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky called "Pictures at an Exhibition", which is where the title of our trip came from.

In our trip, we'll take a look at some pictures, pictures of major characters of modern society, such as a journalist, a plastic surgeon, a fashion-obsessed woman, and 6 others, to reach the number of the movements in the musical "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Mussorgsky. However, it's not gonna be just another boring trip where a bald man speaks and speaks endlessly, because this time, the pictures will speak for themselves, without any words.

Osamu Tezuka, who is known as "The Father/God of Manga" and "The Godfather of Anime", was known for his imaginative stories (and the big eyes you see in almost every single anime nowadays), and this "experimental" movie is no different. That said, the animation is different, yet nothing that great compared to today's standards, but the imaginary and the symbolism and how the story is told through the animation is what makes this movie special, and way better than some anime that depend on nonsense heavy dialogues to appeal to the viewers, and fan-service sometimes too.

However, for a movie without dialogue, the sound plays a big role in telling the story next to the animation, and the rearranged version of Mussorgsky's musical suite did a great job in that department. Each story of the movie had a suitable soundtrack that set the overall mood of that part and perfectly conveyed the emotions of the characters, all that while having the 60s feel to them.

The movie consists of 10 stories, each story, except the last one, takes a realistic approach on the life of a character of modern society; it can focus on the bad side, on the good side, or just focus on it generally, with some humor added to them, and replacing the humans with animals in some stories.

Overall, the movie was really enjoyable, and different from what you get nowadays. And as I described it in the first 2 paragraphs, it's a trip, that's what it felt like: The movie starts with the camera-man going into the exhibition and focusing on each picture, then the story of that character is told. Once the first story ends, you feel intrigued to see what the next story has to offer.

I'd recommend this movie for those who wants to get a break from all the recycled anime that's being released each season, and go back to watch some short classics and see how old anime was like in its primitive state before changing to the anime we know nowadays. read more

ANIME MOVIE DEPOT SERIES
Full list of the review series can be found on this page, 3rd post from bottom:
http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?uid=251338&show=userpage&do=blog&blogid=29009&page=0

This is yet another experimental work by Osamu Tezuka and despite being made after Tetsuwan Atom, it still retains a lot of artistic expression and care. Unlike most who are just rehashing a successful formula in EVERY NEW WORK they do, Tezuka kept on looking for ore ways to tell a story and I really did the guy for that.

Now speaking of a story, this movie does not exactly have one; it is more of a collection of comical shorts, each one making fun of a specific profession. The setting is a museum and we are shown the portraits of many famous personalities, after of which the scene changes to what exactly is that specific person is doing to earn his fame and fortune. Basically, the movie is humorously showing us how most professions we consider important or glamour enough to follow are in fact based on some very bad aspects of human nature. Not that it is right to assume all boxers or botanologists are evil by default; it practically makes fun of negative aspects.

Since each short is a stand-alone from the rest and doesn’t really have a story, means that the characters are nothing but comical stereotypes, simplified to be as pitiful and even as hateful as possible. This can very easily make some viewers to dislike it; especially if they are themselves or someone close they know doing those professions. It is after all blunt propaganda against the folly of money and fame. I am personally not offended by that as the glamour of Hollywood, the music industry, the bank industry, and lots of other things are already up to the neck full of rosy imagery when in reality they are quite nasty behind the scenes. It is ok to have some counter propaganda against that, right?

Anyways, there is no story and the characters are caricatures but the skits themselves are quite funny and basically the only thing that matters. Each one is done with a different style of animation and through easily understandable actions and symbolisms we are let to understand what is going on without the use of narration or even dialogue. The best part is left for last, where all the protagonists are in fact having a parade and passing through the gates of glory, after passing under the ark of heroism. The irony is that the real heroes, big muscular men in togas, try to pass the gate as well but need to return, as without them supporting the ark, the whole building will collapse. Thus comes the ultimate irony of the true heroes being left in anonymity as their role is to carry the burden of ideals, without of which there is no way for anyone else to be glorified.

I must say that despite the simplicity of the idea the movie is very well shown (not told; a very big plus) and does manage to inflict emotions and thoughts on you. It may be very impersonal since it doesn’t have characters to identify with but it still works fine on an emotional level and its message is actually not bad to keep in mind. Highly recommended. read more