Official selection
Shanghai International Film Festival 2021
Honors
Shanghai International Festival Official Selection
Director
Takayuki Hirao
Writer
Takayuki Hirao
Cast
Tomomi Kohara, Akio Otsuka, Hiroya Shimizu
Producer
Tomohiko Iwase
Composer
Kenta Matsukuma
Editor
Tsuyoshi Imai
contact
Avex pictures, Inc.
Official website
“Is there a secret to making a great movie?” That’s the question that Gene Fini asks of retired producer J.D. Peterzen, a legend in Nyallywood, the world capital of filmmaking. Gene is a lowly, anxious production assistant, taking careful notes on everything he sees in the studio while handling countless minor tasks for his boss, Joelle D. Pomponette – aka “Pompo”. A bundle of energy with a sharp eye and fast decision-making reflexes, Pompo is Peterzen’s granddaughter, and a B-movie mogul in her own right. Gene has no plans of becoming a director himself, the idea terrifies him in fact. But Pompo has plans for Gene, plans that will turn his life upside-down – and lead him ever closer to the secret of cinematic success!
Directed by Takayuki Hirao (GOD EATER, MAGICAL SISTERS YOYO AND NENE), the anime adaptation of Shogo Sugitani’s much-loved manga is a convincing crash course for beginners on how movies get made, and what makes them work. While it’s certainly a love letter to the art and industry of live-action filmmaking, the POMPO: THE CINÉPHILE anime feature is also an outstanding work of animation, deftly deploying clever transitions and other little tricks and techniques (Satoshi Kon fans, watch for the winks to the late master!) to make the most of the storytelling process. And what a great story it is! Pompo herself is an amazing character, a relentless catalyst for dynamic, positive change – with a knack for seeing the best in people when they can’t even see it themselves. Funny, fascinating, fast-paced and entirely sympathetic, POMPO: THE CINÉPHILE is simply a great movie... about making great movies! – Rupert Bottenberg
Showings
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