What's in a name - Re: Kurosawa Kiyoshi and "Akarui Mirai" at Tokyo Filmex

[kiseko minaguchi]

Hi, Jasper,
I'm sure by now you've already received some satisfying reactions to your
questions and wonders, that i would like to be allowed to  share with you.
As for the Japanese translation of "Ni Tsutsumarete"carries with the phrase
the emotional coziness or richness of being wrapped up deep in metaphorical
or physical cocoon without worrying about the deprivatiion of that sinking
in the warmness at any moment. Also, I assume that the particle  "Ni"
encouragingly keeps our imagination soaring endlessly as to "by what and who
.." Thus the filmmaker projects her wish of having such state sustained for
good onto the making of her title rather ambiguous.
I haven't seen the film Katatsumori and wants to avoid the pure guessing
game. I could only remind you that Kawase is drawn into the classical world
and narrative associated with  Nara that was once the center of Japanese
politics. She shows in many ways her heavy attachment to the history and
culture of Nara, and she could appropriately replace contemporary language
with another that would readily bring into the screen some classical breeze.
She is no less concerned about the echoing effect of  her film title than
about the imaging effect, as you see. The tast belongs to  the resonant
world of haiku and tanka.
Best,
Minaguchi






----- Original Message -----
??? : "Jasper Sharp" <jasper at midnighteye.com>
?? : <KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu>
???? : 2002?12?4? 22:54
?? : What's in a name - Re: Kurosawa Kiyoshi and "Akarui Mirai" at Tokyo
Filmex


> > If my memory isn't playing tricks on me, I believe a recent Midnight Eye
> > mailer mentioned the title change.  Perhaps Tom or Jasper could verify
> this
> > for us?
>
> Not sure if either of us mentioned any title change, but anyway, if this
is
> any help:
>
> The English language title listed in the FilmEx festival catalogue is the
> direct translation of the Japanese ; BRIGHT FUTURE. Rather less catchy
than
> JELLYFISH ALERT if you ask me, which,  though I haven't seen the film, I
> thought was a wonderful title, even if the Jellyfish doesn't play a huge
> role.
>
> Whilst on the subject of film titles, and forgive me if this has come up
> before, but can anyone help me with a question regarding the titles of the
> two early Naomi Kawase 8mm documentaries. First up, why is EMBRACING's
> original title "Ni tsutsumarete". Isn't this the verb "tsutsumu" (to wrap,
> veil) with the particle marker stuck in front, rather than behind? Any
> particular reason for this word play, if it is indeed word play?
> And why is the second documentary title, about her grandmother, mispelt as
> KATATSUMORI as opposed to KATATSUMURI? (I assume she's talking about
snails)
> Both titles are written with hiragana, rathern than the relevant kanji.
> Anyone able to give any insight into Ms Kawase's choice of titling - as
> HOTARU, as she explained to me in the interview we put on Midnight Eye
over
> a year ago now, also uses a script-based phonetic "pun", which similarly
> seems beyond the comprehension of most (non film based) Japanese people
I've
> talked to about it.
>
> Thanks (in advance) for any help,
>
> Jasper
>
> Midnight Eye: The Latest and Best in Japanese Cinema
> www.midnighteye.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > >Don, you said "used to be" in relation to the title. Have they
officially
> > >changed it?
> >
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