The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
2013 · Directed by Isao Takahata
Original language: Japanese
- animation
- drama
- fantasy
The story
Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthrals all who encounter her. But, ultimately, she must confront her fate.
What it’s like
Loose, sketchy hand-drawn lines and watercolour washes give the frame the feel of ink and paper, with earth tones, pale greens and warm ochres, so each shot seems to unroll like a scroll. The seasons carry much of the atmosphere: spring blossom drifting over fields, summer heat shimmering above rice paddies, autumn grass gone gold, and quiet winter snow. A sparse, tender score of piano and strings gives way to long stretches of birdsong and wind. The camera moves slowly, often holding on a single landscape or a face, and the pacing is unhurried, lingering on small domestic routines before tightening into restless, wide-eyed unease as the girl's world narrows around courtly expectations. The mood is wistful and bittersweet, a melancholy that stays gentle rather than bleak. Physical violence is minimal, with no gore and no battle scenes, but there are persistent threats from unwanted suitors, a frightening attempted abduction, and emotional cruelty that hurts more for being quiet. It suits a slow rainy afternoon or a late-night watch with the lights off. For people who want contemplative, painterly animation about childhood, longing and the cost of being admired.
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