Cossette no shôzô (2004) (V)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Akiyuki Shinbo

Writers:

Asuka Katsura (comic)
Mayori Sekijima (screenplay)

Release Date:

11 April 2004 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation | Short | Fantasy | Horror

Tagline:

Who loves me so much that he would forsake his own dear life... could it be you?

Plot:

Eiri, a talented art student, works part-time in an antique shop in a quiet part of town. One afternoon...

Plot Keywords:

Antique Shop | Obsession | Blood | Evil Spirit | Portrait

Cast

Johnny Yong Bosch	...	Eiri (voice) (as Kevin Hatcher)
Dorothy Elias-Fahn	...	Michiro Yajiri (voice) (as Annie Pastrano)
Ikumi Fujiwara	...	Michiru Yajiri (voice)
Rei Igarashi	...	Zenshinni of Shakado (voice)
Marina Inoue	...	Cossette d'Auvergne (voice)
Wendee Lee	...	Dr. Hatsumi Mataki (voice)
Michelle Ruff	...	Cossette d'Auvergne (voice)
Mitsuki Saiga	...	Eiri Kurahashi (voice)
Megumi Toyoguchi	...	Shouko Mataki (voice)
Kumiko Yokote	...	Hatsumi Mataki (voice)

Also Known As:

Le portrait de petite cossette (USA)

Runtime:

Japan:35 min (3 Episodes) | USA:111 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

English | Japanese

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:Not Rated | Singapore:M18 | UK:15 | Australia:M | New Zealand:M

Company:

Aniplex

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Yuki Kajiura Live (2008) (V)

Soundtrack:

Houseki

A Dark and Chilling Work of Art

"Who loves me so much that he would forsake his own dear life... could it be you?"

This was and still is the most confusing, moving, and bone-chilling anime story that has left me a feeling that no other movie as done before...

Aside from Akira, this movie is highly disturbing and pretty bloody, not the movie best fit for those late night flicks. Nor is it for the naive minded who insist on pausing it every ten minutes asking what the hell is going on. Patience and an open mind are suggested, no, are essential to accept this film for what it is, and to see the inner beauty within it.

Never before in my life have I found a filmmaker who has an imagination so far from what is commonly known, even in anime standards. For I have seen films such as, Princess Mononoke (loved it), Spirited Away (o.k.), Nausicaä of the Valley of the Winds (enjoyed it), Akira (hated it), Metropolis (didn't like it), Millennium Actress (o.k.), Ghost in Shell (liked it), Cowbebop the movie (loved it), etc.

Trust me, I could ramble on for much longer, but I don't want to give away an spoilers. I was left completely blank of info about the film when I watched it, and I want to do the same favor for you. It was still an odd experience after watching it to have your head up in and your mouth open in confusion, and having you head stare directly strait with your teeth chattering all at the same time. Brilliant.

Note: all what I said is true, but through various reasons I will probably never see this film again, if not ever.

****/**** stars

Le Portrait de Petite Cossette (2005): Rated R for disturbing and violent images