Helter Skelter and The Garden of Words (Japanese Movies)

Warning! May contain spoilers.

Movies are the audio-visual representations of stories, be it fiction or not. Videos are the most widely used art form in our life today. It communicates not only through our sense of sight, but also through our hearing. I therefore consider it the best art form in terms of its convenience in imparting the audience its purpose or meaning. 

Now, I want to talk about how these two Japanese movies, which gives off seemingly different or even contrasting vibes, relay to its viewers (mostly me) their messages or in other terms, what they both have to offer. I would like to say that both these movies have their own charm that I can't seem to get enough of. They're not just there to deliver a story which is made possible with the plot, climax, dialogue, etc. They have proven that movies these days are not just trivial, but also have the right to be called an 'art form' despite being created to be able to make money and not entirely for "art's sake." I find these two movies especially visual appealing although overall, it really is unique.

The first movie is Helter Skelter (ヘルタースケルター).  The title itself is quite charming, considering its meaning; from being a The Beatles' song, to some people giving it a different meaning. Although, its main definition could be just "haphazard" or "quickly, with no sense of order." Indeed, this movie tackles the short-lived fame of the main character.

The screenshot above shows the main character on the left, Ririko (or Lilico), in her bedroom full of her black and white portraits placed on her rose patterned walls. The setting for this movie is so pleasing to the eyes. I guess the locations are also speaking its purpose, with the story being about a woman who had gone on a plastic surgery to be "beautiful" according to the Japanese society's standards. Ririko is admired by many people, most of them being the teenagers who want to be like her or at times, be her. 

This one above here is Ririko's living room, one of the main locations in the movie. I love how it has a gigantic red lips floating in what seems to be the sky. I swear, every part of her flat is beautiful.

This corridor is in Ririko's apartment, and was shown like once or twice in the movie but still, its colors are so appealing to the eyes that it made an impact on me. I wonder if there's an apartment complex like that in real life?

This one is a scene from a carnival/amusement park. The park was so pretty with all the fairy-tale like things like these floating houses. It's pretty that it seems impossible to believe that those really exist...

Moving on.. Fame oh, fame. This is quite a good screenshot, which represents the blinding light of fame. Just to hold onto that light and be unrecognizable anymore to those who matter to you, you sacrifice everything.. That's sad.

Ririko and her younger sister. We can conclude that Ririko looked like her sister (which is not pretty as society judges her to be) before plastic surgery. Ririko in this scene shows her true self, prior to becoming the "Ririko" who everyone loves. She is still the Ririko who is affectionate and caring to her family despite the fame.

Ririko is a walking time bomb in a sense that her beauty will not last long enough. When she got that surgery, it is essential to maintain it. In fact, the clinic where she got her surgery apparently makes their customers beautiful, but the catch is that they won't be able to stay so without maintenance. That's reality though. Once you invest in something, be it good or bad, you won't be able to get away from it. It also embodies the concept of beauty having an expiry date. No matter how much money or time you have, you would always carry the consequences of what you did. And for this movie, it's plastic surgery.

This strawberry with an eye is one of Ririko's hallucinations. She resorted in taking a strong drug in order to maintain her beauty and so she saw things that are not quite normal. She saw many creepy things which involved blinking eyes from everything that she sees (like the gigantic strawberry). I believe that part shows her vulnerability to everyone's judgements. Everyone is looking, while she's there, almost losing it. What would become of her when she's not beautiful enough?

Time to face the judgements. Ririko is up for a press conference. And what did she do? Did she fulfill the reporters' desires to make fun of herself? Everyone knew already. That she had plastic surgery. That  the beauty she possesses was fake. That what they admired the most about her is not really hers. She unfortunately didn't say anything. At the end of the movie, she was gone, as if she hadn't really existed. Rumor has it that she didn't really exist at all. But what do you know.. She's still there, alive and kicking.. with her people still close to her..

My descriptions and commentaries don't do justice on this movie. It's a beautiful, modern day tale that imparts everyone of its viewers to think about how our society is like right now, and what is out there that everyone seems to know and treasure yet not think twice about what it really is. Nonetheless, it's up to people to watch it and have our own opinions about it.

The other movie is The Garden of Words or Kotonoha no Niwa (言の葉の庭). It is an animated film by Makoto Shinkai, who is also known for his other works, one of which is also a favorite of mine, "5 centimeters per second." He is popular among Japanese anime geeks like me and Kotonoha no Niwa does not disappoint.

The first movie that I introduced was like a social commentary, filled with dark vibes, well because of its somewhat dark theme. In contrast, Kotonoha no Niwa is a movie which is guaranteed to make one nostalgic about his/her youth or just feel all fluffy and warm inside. Although, it is not like those recent trivial love stories which starts and just ends when the movie ends. 

It centers on two characters who were brought together by the cold drops of rain in the day. Perhaps a week day, since both characters are expected to be either at work or at school yet they're not.

Takao, our hero, noticing that in his place of serenity and happiness, there's another person who has come to appreciate it.

In this gazebo in the middle of a park filled with greenery, the two of them met. Strangers who seem to have a connection from the first time they met. The scenery is so beautifully drawn that it appears to come to life.

The good 'ol gloomy rain. Both Takao and the older lady seem to enjoy the rain and can't wait to meet each other. They would wish for it to rain just to skip school/work and stay at the gazebo.

It's funny how two strangers meet and hit it off instantly. Perhaps this is what fate decides it to be? That it's better for these two to know about each other in a place that they both find comfort in. Takao's dream is to become a shoemaker. Everyone close to him seems to deny him the support he needs to pursue his dream yet this stranger appears to understand his desire and eagerness.

And finally, the big reveal. Who is this woman? Her being a young teacher at Takao's school didn't stop him from liking her. Apparently, Yukari-sensei (the woman) is having student troubles in school. Beer and chocolate are the only food that she can actually taste, perhaps meaning that she's turned numb on other feelings like happiness and only has bitter-sweet sensations when it comes to her outlook on life.

Takao's sincere feelings towards Yukari was appreciated by her. By treating him not a mere child who doesn't know any better, these two come to have a deep understanding of how they really feel about each other. The two forget the things that come between them and seized the moment. 

The moment didn't last long though. They can't run away from their responsibilities and from themselves. They both have to become who they want to become first before becoming each others'. A part of life is growing and the two of them must grow apart in order to grow together. In this scene where the park is covered in cold, white snow, I believe that like how the seasons change, after this winter comes the new beginning.

After describing these two movies that had both moved me, I think that I am not convincing enough to tell these stories in just screenshots and words. Helter Skelter and The Garden of Words are two contemporary Japanese Movies that are both worthy of being praised and being considered as valuable pieces of our time.