Paprika (2006)
"Papurika" (original title)

When a machine that allows therapists to enter their patient's dreams is stolen, all hell breaks loose. Only a young female therapist can stop it: Paprika.

Director:

Satoshi Kon

Writers:

Yasutaka Tsutsui (novel), Seishi Minakami (screenplay),

Stars:

Megumi Hayashibara, Tôru Furuya, Katsunosuke Hori

5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Megumi Hayashibara	...	Paprika / Chiba Atsuko (voice)
Tôru Furuya	...	Tokita Kohsaku (voice)
Kôichi Yamadera	...	Osanai Morio (voice)
Katsunosuke Hori	...	Shima Tora-taroh (voice)
Tôru Emori	...	Inui Sei-jiroh (voice)
Akio Ôtsuka	...	Detective Kogawa Toshimi (voice)
Hideyuki Tanaka	...	Guy (voice)
Satomi Koorogi	...	A doll (voice)
Daisuke Sakaguchi	...	Himuro Kei (voice)
Mitsuo Iwata	...	Tsumura Yasushi (voice)
Rikako Aikawa	...	Kakimoto Nobue (voice)
Shin'ichirô Ôta	...	Reporter (voice)
Satoshi Kon	...	Jin-nai (voice)
Yasutaka Tsutsui	...	Kuga (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brian Beacock	...	Hajime Himuro / Kuga (voice)

Storyline

Three scientists at the Foundation for Psychiatric Research fail to secure a device they've invented, the D.C. Mini, which allows people to record and watch their dreams. A thief uses the device to enter people's minds, when awake, and distract them with their own dreams and those of others. Chaos ensues. The trio - Chiba, Tokita, and Shima - assisted by a police inspector and by a sprite named Paprika must try to identify the thief as they ward off the thief's attacks on their own psyches. Dreams, reality, and the movies merge, while characters question the limits of science and the wisdom of Big Brother.

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Plot Keywords:

police | arboretum | banner | betrayal | video telephone | 

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Taglines:

This is your brain on anime.

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Genres:

Animation | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violent and sexual images

Details

Official Sites:

DVD site -- Sony Home Entertainment [us] Official site [us]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

25 November 2006 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Paprika

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$45,429 (USA) (25 May 2007)

Gross:

$881,302 (USA) (19 October 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Madhouse, Paprika Film Partners, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Paprika interviews Kogawa in his filmmaker guise, his mannerisms and appearance resemble that of Akira Kurosawa.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Paprika: Time for the greatest show on earth!

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Connections

References Monkey (1978)

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Soundtracks

"The Shadow"
Composed and Performed by Susumu Hirasawa

User Reviews

What a great film!

The following review has been translated by Google:

If dream and reality merge

Paprika is one of the most unusual, most beautiful and craziest films, which I saw for a long time, decorated by an incomprehensible picture force and under from a fantastic music. The work acts first of an invention, which makes it for humans possible to note the own dreams in addition, dreams of others to see. However also one of the scientists underestimated danger is inherent in to this new technology. As always the starting point a noble goal, i.e. the equipment for the healing from psychologically ill humans to, is to be used by analyzing the dreams and thus their subconsciousness and her in the dream to a solution to then lead.

In run the first experiments, one of the prototypes however one steals. The team around corroded and scientists assumes terrorists behind the theft, who placed themselves against the possibility, into the secret of humans to penetrate… evenly their dreams and desires. But at the end once more some surprises stand ready…

One would like to assume that also this Anime rose again from the feather/spring of Hayao Miyazaki and the Studio Ghibli, is nevertheless from this team outstanding works meanwhile nearly already accustomed one. But Paprika production of Satoshi Kon, a further brilliat film director and draughtsman from Japan, which have responsibility among other things also for Tokyo Godfathers, Paranoia agent and Millennium Actress. It concerns thus no beginner and only quite no beginner.

The music was written by Susumu Hirasawa, which worked already more frequently with Satoshi Kon together and also this mark composed again a wonderful sound TRACK, which one can hear again and again.

Clay/tone and picture film are not stand out, it give anything to criticize. On the second disk e.g. are very beautiful extras, like a long Making OF and a kind discussion round with two the synchronous speaker, Satoshi Kon and the author of the book collecting main Yasutaka Tsutsui.

To all lovers of the Anime applies: buy!