Was really sad to read of Satoshi Kon's passing at 46 from cancer. He was a fabulous anime director, really on par with Hayao Miyazaki.
To note his death, we all watched what we consider to be his masterpiece, "Paprika," which despite the title and slightly goofy tone, is actually on par with "Inception." Emily, home from college, made the selection, because this is one of her top-3 anime classics.
Paprika (above) is the dream avatar of a scientist who co-invented a machine that allows doctors entry into a person's dreams for the purposes of therapy. The movie has more amazing visual sequences than just about any anime film you can name, as well as my favorite combo of opening song and credits ever (only Spike Lee's "Inside Man" compares). If you like anime, you have to know Kon.
After starting with Hiroyuki Kitakubo's "Rojin Z" as an animator, Kon was able to complete only four films.
Paprika is the trippiest and most engrossing. It was also Kon's last completed film.
His first film is a bit rough: a scary Hitchcock/ DePalma sort of obsessive stalking film that features a brutal rape. It's called "Perfect Blue." Not for everybody.
Then came my second favorite, "Millenium Actress," which has a Bertolucci quality to it. It is a paean to Japanese film.
Kon's third movie is my least favorite, "Tokyo Godfathers," loosely based on a John Ford western. It was his most romantic film, whereas the others all had sentiment but a sharp edge.
Kon was working on a final film when he died. It's called "Dream Machine" and it's described as a "road film for robots."
Crushing to think the guy would have likely made another ten or so films. A serious loss to the industry.