US. Theatrical Trailer
Paprika literally means a spice made from grounded red bell peppers (ref. wiki).
'You can't tell dream from reality' has been a signature motif of Satoshi's kon's films. Paprikia is a come-back of Paranoia Agent.
Skipping over synopsis and trivia, there's something else that interests me. I can surely smell Shinichiro Watanabe! But can it be he has anything to do with this film?? The old cast of cowboy bebop is back and I'm glad I can distinguish their voices without peeking at the credit. Dr. Chiba is voiced by Megumi Hayashibara (Faye) and Dr. Osanai is voiced by Koichi Yamadera (Spike). Take a close look at the character design of Dr. Chiba who looks like a female version of Jin (Samurai Champloo) =D The heavy appearance of parades and dolls, and extensive philosophical quotes draw you back to Ghost in the Shell. Deja vu?
The opening credit is absolutely enjoyable. You see Paprika dashing between dream and reality, blending into objects and appearing from thin air. Detective Konakawa's reoccurring dreams retold in slightly different twists and progressions is another notable highlight. His rendezvous at radioclub.jp bartenders who brought a final message from Paprika closed the film perfectly. After all, it's a Satoshi film which means it's another provocative approach to acute social problems and human emotions. Although I'm not sure with the term 'superflat', I think Satoshi's manipulation of animation to deal with consumerism culture is a forerunner of such motif.
And yes I'm very touched when the ghost of Chiba reveals her love for Tokita, a bear sized fat genius scientist who invented DC mini. Unconventional but sweet!
But again watching Paprika is a head spinning dream experience since psycho patients are talking gibberish and there're absolutely no rules in dream states. That's why animation's probably the best medium to express it!
All photos are taken from Paprika Sony official site. Credits go to the artists and sony picture classics. (This movie is rated R)
Konakawa's dream in which he was caged on a circus stage and a crowd bearing his face swarmed and screamed his name.
In the finale, a void appeared connecting dream and reality. The world was greatly disturbed.
Director Shima's subconscious world was invaded by a big parade. And look at that doll?! Doesn't it look similar to GITS the movie? I'm compelled to conclude Japan is a doll fetish nation...
more dolls and cyborgs
Paprika venturing into a deserted site
I love how Paprika's dressed up in spicy red with that classic oldie hairdo!
Dreams and butterflies ALWAYS go together. Talking about creativity people!!
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