PRINCESS RACCOON by Seijun Suzuki: Film Review
by Andre Soares
Operetta tanuki goten / Princess Raccoon (2005) 
Director: Seijun Suzuki. Screenplay: Yoshio Urasawa. Cast: Ziyi Zhang, Jô Odagiri, Hiroko Yakushimaru, Saori Yuki
One of my two favorite films of the AFI FEST 2005 — Caché / Hidden was the other one — took me completely by surprise. Seijun Suzuki’s delightful musical fairy tale, Operetta tanuki goten / Princess Raccoon, consists of an eclectic mix of abstract and natural settings, catchy tunes ranging from mild rap to hot salsa, myriad plot twists and turns, special effects that are purposefully — and beautifully — simple (one such brings back from the dead veteran actress Hibari Misora), plus dialogue in a variety of languages. The result is a magical — if challenging — mélange perfectly appropriate to the wacky fairy tale played out on screen.
Ziyi Zhang is charming as the princess of the (English-language) title, a "demon," or spirit, who falls in love with a mortal, though it is Saori Yuki, as a cunning, rap-singing prophetess, who runs away with the film.
Reviewed at the AFI FEST 2005
AL OTRO LADO / ON THE OTHER SIDE by Gustavo Loza: Film Review
AN AMERICAN HAUNTING by Courtney Solomon: Film Review
AMU by Shonali Bose: Film Review
CACHÉ / HIDDEN by Michael Haneke: Film Review
CINEMA, ASPIRINA E URUBUS / CINEMA, ASPIRIN AND VULTURES by Marcelo Gomes: Film Review
FUCK by Steve Anderson: Film Review
MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS by Stephen Frears: Film Review
MUCHRACHIM LEHIYOT SAME’ACH / JOY by Julie Shles: Film Review
NABOER / NEXT DOOR by Pål Sletaune: Film Review
Comments
Leave a Reply
Note: All comments are moderated. Different views and opinions are welcome, but abusive/bigoted/flaming comments will NOT be approved. Also, please be aware that the Alternative Film Guide has NO contact information for the talent mentioned in this blog or any information pertaining to or access to distributors'/producers' film prints.
