#akira takayana

[roskirambles]

(Archive) Honorable mention: Isle of Dogs (2018)

Originally posted: January 5th, 2022 Huh, another stop motion film about Japan? What are the odds? Well, I think it's an interesting companion piece for Kubo in that the way they approach representing the country is diametrically opposite. Where as Japanese culture played a significant role in Kubo, ranging from art to folklore and even some of the philosophy of the characters, Isle of Dogs has the country's aesthetics(namely of Showa era Japan) as a mere backdrop for a story that could've probably taken place anywhere else. Kubo did face some criticism about it's predominantly white cast for a story set in Japan, but Isle of Dogs got much more flak for a plethora of reasons…and it's honestly not hard to see why.

While I can't say it comes from a consciously malicious place, Wes Anderson has a record of using foreign cultures for exoticism in the past and Isle of Dogs keeps this trend. Between one of the most important agents in the conflict being a white girl, to the rather neglectful way the Japanese language is handled(both in written and spoken form), it probably will rub some the wrong way. It was intended as a homage, but it can come across as orientalism instead. That said, some of this is probably an artistic choice about the movie's themes, considering translation issues in communication are a core part of the experience. You be the judge on that one.

So…this awkwardness aside what other things does the film offer? The charming, Wes Anderson awkwardness and quirkiness, of course. Deadpan humor, stunning and highly symmetrical cinematography, a color palette controlled down to the milimeter, some black comedy(with a few instances of grotesque imagery)and a movement quality in the animation that homages Rankin Bass with intentionally off timing. Potential stereotypes aside, the cast is also a likable and dynamic bunch, a little of kilter but charmingly so.

It's a film that genuinely gives a lot to talk about. In so many ways.