Episode 107: Satoshi Kon’s “Perfect Blue” and “Millennium Actress”
A discussion of Satoshi Kon’s 1997 film “Perfect Blue” and 2001 film “Millennium Actress.”
In 1997, Satoshi Kon emerged as a promising anime filmmaker with his debut film “Perfect Blue.” The story of the fragile mind of a pop star making the transition into acting haunted audiences in Japan but perplexed American audiences who don’t see animation in such a dark and gritty light. In 2001, Satoshi Kon matured as a storyteller with his film “Millennium Actress,” while paying homage to the long history of Japanese cinema. The film was a remarkable piece of work but was overshadowed by Hiyao Miyazaki’s masterpiece “Spirited Away,” which was released in the same year.
Why is anime important to Japanese cinema? What did American filmmaker Darren Aronofsky take from Satoshi Kon’s “Perfect Blue” for his 2010 film “Black Swan?” And what made “Millennium Actress” a crossover hit in the United States?
Satoshi Kon’s “Perfect Blue” and “Millennium Actress” are the subjects of episode 107 of the AuteurCast…
