While I slot in numerous contenders for this year's Oscars, I also find room for one of last year's could-have-been nominees. I namedropped Pompo: The Cinephile earlier this year when I reviewed fellow anime Belle. It had a one-week qualifying release in L.A. last year for its Oscars. Its official theatrical release last April was only for two nights, neither of which I had time for. I found the Blu-Ray in July and left it on my shelf...
Until now.
Based on Shogo Sugitani's online manga, the film is directed by Takayuki Hirao, whose best-known anime film, Gyo, is about zombie fish. A film like that is producer Joelle Davidoich "Pompo" Pomponett's forte. Her latest B-Movie, Marine, features a giant crab terrorizing beachgoers. Pompo is only twelve, at least, but she's a veteran producer with an eye for talent. One day, she decides to write an award-worthy script, Meister, and hand the director's chair to her gopher, Gene Fini.
The film sees Gene directing "the world's greatest actor" Martin Braddock and fellow newcomer Nathalie Woodward as the leads. The production takes the crew from Hollywood Nyallywood (Meowllywood) to the Swiss Alps. Eventually, Gene is tasked with editing down the 72 hours of footage into just 90 minutes. It's a task that pushes him to the mental and physical brink. But he has a deadline to meet for the studio's investors. The post-production process gives him a sense of purpose.
Its greatest strength is its relentless optimism. We see it in frame one with its pastel art design. We feel it with its cast of characters. They avidly believe in the power of movies and find purpose in making them for the downtrodden. That's what helps Gene, Nathalie, and Alan, a banker we eventually meet, endure soul-crushing jobs. Nathalie's montage of failed auditions is equally funny and sad. Gene's determination to finish Meister is as admirable as it is dangerous. Pompo is quite profound for her age and her leading lady, Mystia, is sweet. They're all relatable and likable people. The only unlikable people are some of Alan's stuffy shirt superiors who nearly pull funding for Meister. But even they come around.
Its version of film post-production is quite interesting. Gene dissects footage to see which to keep or not. A few editing choices I wouldn't agree with, but a few others make me curious to see Meister in full. He imagines himself cutting through film with an oversized sword and infectious zeal. He eventually realizes that the film lacks a crucial flashback and him begging Pompo to greenlight it is a tense scene. Gene gets a nice scene with Nathalie when they make a few tough cuts. Overall, it's a unique way to hear about moviemaking.
It's not a realistic film, but Pompo: The Cinephile is an earnest tribute to moviemaking. This and Belle rank as my favorite anime films of the year, even if they came out last year. Its cast and tone are quite moving even if they lack the heavy drama of something like Belle. Find it however you can and see it right away. It even runs 90 minutes (minus credits) much like Meister does. It's a nice and easy home matinee ... not like my next reviewed film.
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