Movielogr

Rating: 6.5 stars

Tags

Japan Mandarin opera fairy tale prince princess storytelling

All movies seen on 11/28/2019

View on: IMDb | TMDb

Princess Raccoon (2005)

Directed by Seijun Suzuki

Musical | Romance | Comedy

Overview

Amechiyo (the banished prince) falls in love with Tanukihime (a princess of raccoon dog disguised as human). This is an operetta which includes comedy, singing and dancing, and a love story.

Length 111 minutes

Actors

Zhang Ziyi | Taro Yamamoto | Joe Odagiri | Miwako Ichikawa | Hiroko Yakushimaru | Mikijiro Hira | Federico Aletta | Hibari Misora | Eisuke Sasai | Akira Matsushita | Saori Yuki | Papaya Suzuki | Gentaro Takahashi | Taro Nanshu | Noriko Shiina

Viewing History (seen 2 times)

Viewing Notes

When I saw that the interlibrary system had this on DVD I requested it bc it’s been a few years and that time it was viewing on my gf’s monitor so it wasn’t optimal. This is a film that really should be seen on a bigger screen b/c it’s so pretty and Suzuki still brings his wild colors and design flare in his last film. Forgot that this has both Japanese and Mandarin, which Zhang Ziyi speaks most of the time. Interesting choice but it works.

Though not the same story it does remind of Gift of Magi mashed w/Romeo & Juliet: A prince meets a Raccoon Princess but they are not allowed to be together but they both make sacrifices for each other. While I’m sad this was Suzuki’s last film I’m happy that he really went for it with this nutty musical / rock opera. I would love to see this on the big screen for those crazy sets, colors and costumes.

My opinion/rating hasn’t changed but I have more appreciation for this film. There’s a 45min making-of / BTS featurette that is excellent. 81 year old Seijun Suzuki is out there spry as hell directing this movie on-location. Doesn’t appear there were any 2nd unit directors as he’s shown at every set / location. And he’s showing the actors how he wants him to do the move or sequence. Incredible.

Also this is probably the most I’ve seen Zhang Ziyi in any behind the scenes capacity working on a film. Firstly, she’s so damn beautiful. Secondly, super crazy she took this part and has a translator bc the rest of the cast/crew in Japanese. She’s so cute learning her lines, doing the costume tests, and working her scenes. When she films her last scene she’s given flowers and congratulated by the rest of crew / cast and she’s crying. Then I start crying. So cool and so emotional.

Final note: it was wild seeing the sets at Toho Studios knowing I stood and walked around those stages. It’s still like a dream.

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