A beautiful Japanese film which explores a genre thought outside the realm of animation. A drama written for adults, especially women! It is a 1991 film that was the highest grosser of that year. Even today it is so relevant & fresh, without being bold, preachy, gentle & stating the bare facts. Nothing has changed, really!
In 2016 it was released in the English language format featuring voices of Daisy Ridley, Dev Patel, and others. In August 2020 it was announced that a live action special based on manga will air in Jan 2021. A 64 year old Taeko with her daughter & grand daughter will be at the center.
In 1982 an unmarried Taeko working in Tokyo takes a trip to the countryside. It is the festival of the safflowers. As she is enjoying the work in the fields & warming up to the idea of organic farming, she keeps on reflecting on herself as a ten year old girl.
Her house has her granny , her parents & two teen sisters. She is the youngest of the lot. As happens in every household the youngest gets ragged. Her life experiences are common place but we start looking at them with a new vision.
Having gone through all the events it was very relatable. The young girl getting low scores for math, acting on stage & getting an offer which was refused, the two sisters having the final word, father’s slap first & only one, the hands on articles like the purse, eating pineapple for the first time, the first teasing, all are simply too good !
The age of animation then with the sketches & the solid story hats off!
Asian Entertainment 