News
Japan Touring Film Programme in February and March Will Include Ghost Cat Anzu
posted on by Andrew Osmond
The story is described as follows:
"11-year-old Karin (voiced by Noa Gotō) isn't happy when her good-for-nothing father drops her off at her grandfather's temple to stay while he runs away from the loan sharks on his tail, nor is she excited when she meets Anzu (voiced by Mirai Moriyama): her grandfather's 37-year-old, six foot tall, bipedal, talking cat. Anzu is a bakeneko, or a ghost cat. He works part-time as a chiropractor, rides a moped and likes going down to the pachinko parlour.
"At first, Anzu is reluctant to look after Karin. But seeing her desperate wish to be with her deceased mother once again on the anniversary of her death, he joins her. Together, this unusual pair set off on an extraordinary, magical journey, where they even find themselves on the path down to the underworld itself! Directed by Yōko Kuno, this quirky French-Japanese co-production is a visually stunning joy to watch that brings the world of yokai (ghosts) to vibrant, charming life."
Both Moriyama and Gotō also acted as the characters in footage that served as a reference for animating the characters, with their spoken lines during the filming of their movements also being used in the film.
As of writing, there are screenings scheduled at the QUAD in Derby (February 9, 6.45 p.m.), King Street Cinema in Ipswich (February 13, 7.30 p.m.), Depot in Lewes (February 15), Firstsite in Colchester (February 15 at 2 p.m.), ICA in London (February 15 at 3.30 p.m.), Storyhouse in Chester (February 16), Hyde Park Picture House (February 22), Showroom Cinema in Sheffield (February 23), The Dukes in Lancaster (February 23), Cube Cinema in Bristol (February 23 at 5 p.m.), HOME cinema in Manchester (March 1), Queen's Film Theatre in Belfast (March 2), Dundee Contemporary Arts (March 2), Broadway in Nottingham (March 15), Eden Court in Inverness (March 22), Chichester Cinema (March 24 at 6 p.m.), Phoenix in Leicester (March 29), Exeter Phoenix (March 29) and Brewery Arts Cinema in Kendal (March 29 at 5 p.m.)
