Pompo the Cinephile

What is a movie to you? What do you want while seeing a movie? Why are movies important? Why is filmmaking important? Why do people love filmmaking?

Movies are something that hold a huge meaning to me. A good movie has a power to make you happy, make you cry, make you think about situations of your own life or someone else's. A movie, if done right, can provide you different perspectives, inspiring characters and the right movie might potentially change your life. Just seeing the word "movie" generates a lot of different emotions inside me. A movie can generate dreams, emotions that you might need at the time. That's what movies are capable of. Just the fact that someone can write a fictional story and fictional characters and then make me feel for them, that alone astounds me.

I saw "Pompo: The Cinephile" today, and I connected with this movie more than I can describe. This is a movie for cinephiles. It's about a simple character who loves watching movies and writes notes about them, and he's given a role of a director. And it's just about him and his staff trying to make a touching movie that can resonate with their audience. This movie understands films. That's why I loved it. There are so many quotes here that I connected with. It understands the importance of a short runtime, perspective of viewers, a scene that defines the entire movie, an idea that builds the entire script, correct casting. How can viewers relate more to their story? Who is this story for? Do you see yourself in the movie? Which scene is important which isn't? How cutting a scene can provide a different perspective to the audience? As someone who loves movies, this movie was unbelievable, and the first perfect score I've given in a long time.

"Pompo: the Cinephile" is an animated movie about a movie loving assistant director named Gene. He has a passion for film like no other. One fateful day, Pompo, a film producer, gives him the chance to direct his own major motion picture. The film would be an adaptation of a script written by Pompo.

"Pompo: the Cinephile" is an interesting film. It is an animated movie about the making of movies. The passion that Gene has for film is contagious, he works really hard, and you can't help but root for him to succeed. This is a very tightly edited film, not wasting a second of screen time. All the characters are likable and distinct. It is nice to see them grow and progress as the events unfold.

As an editor and movie fan myself, this movie spoke to me like few others do. I felt a level of empathy seeing Gene stay up late trying to edit the perfect movie, reminding me of myself. I've entered film festivals with tight deadlines, and it is a major struggle to get everything ready on time.

The movie also has a lot of good jokes about the movie business. There are a lot of background details and movie Easter Eggs that film fans will enjoy.

I likewise found it refreshing that there are no blatant antagonists in the movie. It isn't like there is one ego maniac wanting to make the movie about themselves. Or some jealous star that feels cheated from the starring role. Or anyone like that. They are all just people being people.

On the negative side, the movie seems to teach a lesson that I just do not agree with. It is hard to ignore when you see it, but what themes you take from the film may vary from the author's intent. There also isn't much to the movie. No major character flaws are overcome, no change of heart occurs. It is just good people working towards a common goal.

At the end of the day, it is a movie about following your dreams, and not compromising your artistic vision. It is sweet, entertaining and has a runtime of 90 minutes.

A miracle testament to the compulsion, craft, and sacrifice required in meaningful creative expression. Articulate, specific, and deeply felt while simultaneously concise and wholly unpretentious.

Actors, directors, editors, producers, even financiers are shown to be roles with potentials for excellence and passion in their own ways which deeply affect the subsequent work (srsly what portraits of creativity give credit to the financiers that take the leaps of faith that let the things get made in the first place). Accident and spontaneity are shown as inseparable parts of the creative process. Introspection and personal insights are shown to be the key to resonant art. These are very astute observations about filmmaking that I have heard echoed many times in interviews with my favorite artists, and to see them reflected in this random anime movie is so crazy to me. That's to say nothing of the tour de force the editing segment of this film is, which has a specificity that I could not be more grateful for.

For all the beautiful and astute things it has to say, it really is the energy and enthusiasm of this film that makes it so infectious and inspiring. Crazy what happens when you abandon ego and actually put unabashed artistry ahead of your own petty hangups (this being made in the same industry that produced Belle is some twist). Of course this all got wasted on animefan mouthbreathers, but this is the type of thing to blow the right minds in the coming years.

Ok so this was an anime that I really, really enjoyed. Happy I saw this in theaters because it's a movie for people who love the art of making movies. Now typically I am not a huge fan of anime, but this one was one of the few that surprised me. I thoroughly enjoyed the character development, and the japanese voice work was very well realized. The last anime movie I saw in theaters was Belle, which I also thought was exquisite. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves the movies, especially anime fans. 4 editing processes out of 5.

IN A NUTSHELL: Pompo is a talented and gutsy producer in "Nyallywood," the movie-making capital of the world. Although she's known for B-movies, Pompo tells her movie-loving but apprehensive assistant Gene that he will direct her next script: a delicate drama about a tormented artistic genius, starring the legendary and Brando-esque actor Martin Braddock, and a young actress seeking her first break. But when the production heads towards chaos, can Gene rise to Pompo's challenge, and succeed as a first-time director?

It's both a satirical look at Hollywood's filmmaking industry, as well as a tribute to the magic of motion pictures. For anyone who absolutely loves movies as I do, this is a must-see. It's already been nominated for "Best Animated Feature" at the Fantasia Film Festival and the Annie Awards. The director and screenwriter are both Takayuki Hirao. This is the debut feature of the animation studio CLAP, well deserving of applause.

Welcome to the world of dreams and madness! (Pompo)

THINGS I LIKED: I watched the Japanese version, although an English-language version is also available. I absolutely loved loved loved it and it reminded me why I love movies so much.

Super clever transitions I love the use of actual film to draw borders and images in various frames.

I thought it was interesting when Pompo tried to teach Gene how to create a movie trailer. She explained that he needed to include a misleading image to provide intrigue. Do you think that was good advice or do you think audiences get angry when a trailer is misleading? Comment down below!

The animation is extremely creative and entertaining.

It's fascinating to watch a film being made right before our eyes.

The insights into filmmaking and life are inspiring and entertaining.

If you're not used to watching Japanese Anime, you're in for a treat. While the people look Caucasian and are generally considered to be American, you'll see the gentle, sweet nature of the Japanese in their mannerisms. I had the immense pleasure of going to Japan a few years ago and was so impressed with the kind, respectful people we met there.

Fun fact: Hollywood is called "Nyallywood" in the movie. The "nyaa" part is the sound that the Japanese use to represent a cat's meow. Because of that, you see a lot of cat symbols when the characters are in Nyallywood. The statues of the "Oscar" awards are even in the shape of cats. Super cute.

I love the scene that showed Gene typing madly on his computer just like a pianist would play an aria.

Keep watching during the rolling credits to see images of what happens next and some "outtakes".

The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is an impressive 100%!

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Pompo's name is on the title of the film, but the movie is really about Gene, her assistant.

Some viewers might not catch all of the sarcasm.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: One of the characters is a sexy female actress who wears a bikini and other revealing clothing. We often see close-ups of her scantily-clad body.

1 word of profanity (D-word).

THEMES: Filmmaking Pursue your dreams Collaboration and teamwork Building confidence The creative process Mentors Vision Trust Power in memories Getting your break to prove yourself

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