Shigatsu no monogatari

Yesterday I watched Shigatsu monogatari (1998) AKA April Story which features the actress Takako Matsu who stared in Love Generation. If you liked Love Generation I highly recommend it. Matsu is sweet in this short 67 minute drama about a girl Nireno Uzuki who heads to Tokyo for college and once she gets there she is asked why she wanted to be there. That's all I'll say about the plot as it is integral to the film, I'll just mention a few striking scenes.
The film starts as Uzuki leaves her family interrupted by the station master standing waving on a train platform in her home town Hokkaido. You never see her, while at the station, her father proudly explaining to the station master that is daughter is setting off for Tokyo as the train pulls away, the camera reveals her slowly waving mitten. Her family looking excitedly on yelling last minute goodbyes which are inaudible.
In Tokyo a chauffeur, holding an umbrella is brushing a limousine, I thought it was snow at first but then I realized that it was really flower petals, I do not know if they were apple or cherry or even if it makes a difference. A van pulls up and out hops a workmen asking for directions, they are given and the van pulls away as a family carrying all umbrellas to protect and herd a bride in traditional dress into the back of the limo.
A favorite scene of mine is photographed in the rain, with the rain striking a battered borrowed red umbrella it is just beautiful time seems to slow to the point of almost non-existence.
My reason for watching April Story was because the day before I had watched All About Lily Chou-Chou and I wanted to see more by the director Shunji Iwai this film is very different, the actors are older college age adults, and the tone is much lighter, as set by the moving men in the early part of the film. I wish it was longer, I had more I wanted to know about. What was the story with her neighbor? What about her friend from school Kitao Teruko?
Then I have questions about the Japanese culture, Uzuki rides a bike around Tokyo but never locks it, is this normal. Won't it be stolen? The petal storm in the beginning of the film is this true is it widespread through out the city? In college does every student join a club? Do new tenants bring presents to the residents of buildings that they are moving into?
Now it's time to watch the third of Shunji Iwai films I'll have seen this weekend. Hana to Alice (2004) which I saw for the first time last fall and enjoyed very much.
I'm going to post this later tonight to my blog with working links http://burndvdburn.blogspot.com/

Pretty. Thatfs how I would describe this movie. I donft know about you, but most of the time I really have an appetite for slow-unfolding films, this time itfs a lovely and pleasing gslowh movie by much-admired director -- Shunji Iwai. Therefs really something about Mr. Iwaifs films that they have this meek charm and an unyielding realism, and how I like them. gApril Storyh is Iwaifs follow-up film after his amiable 1995 directorial debut -- gLove Letter.h

gApril Storyh tells the tale of a young woman named Nireno Uzaki (Takako Matsu), who has just left Hokkaido, a beautiful snow-filled rural home from the northern side of Japan. She comes to Tokyo to pursue her college studies at a university west of the capital. Gradually Nireno tries to adjust to the different life in the city. Even though the transition is hard, she begins to get use to her new situation – living in her own apartment, meeting new friends, new people, and finally even joining a fishing club in school. Nireno seem to enjoy herself, but we soon find out the real reason why Nireno wanted to study in Tokyo, even more – on why she worked so hard to get admitted in the well-respected and popular university.

The story is really slow-paced, and I am afraid the average movie viewer will have a hard time finishing this film, even when it is just barely over one (1) hour. Mr. Iwai is keen in showing small details; every scene depicts a natural and sometimes nostalgic atmosphere. Camera angles were done in a style as if you were really there, watching the characters closely with much detail.

The music is wonderful, with relaxing sounds of strings and piano, reminiscent of the unforgettable soundtrack from the gLove Letter.h Even the breath-taking sceneries of Hokkaido and Western Tokyo are sure to give you a warm and peaceful feeling. Art-wise, gApril Storyh doesnft fail to show Mr. Iwaifs true artistic brilliance. His style is something that I very much admire. Hopefully I would be able to see his other works, such as gHana and Aliceh and gAll About Lily Chou-Chouh -- hopefully soon.

So the question is: Would you see it or not? Well, itfs up to you. You may not really find it likable for some apparent reason, but gApril Storyh certainly was worth my time, and maybe yours as well.

This movie has a very simple story.