Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai

The facial expression of O-Ei a. k. a. “Miss Hokusai” radiates that certain “something”. Is it only the bushy eyebrows that lend her looks such strength of character? Despite her striking appearance, she is the relatively unknown daughter of the Japanese master painter Hokusai, who lived in Edo – the former name of Tokyo – in 1814 and was revered in Europe by such painters as Degas or Van Gogh. In the film he is portrayed as a loner and visionary who shares a chaotic atelier with his daughter, vying with her to attain excellence in the art of painting. One day when O-Ei’s younger sister is taken seriously ill, their routine begins to waver. Feeling powerless, he succumbs to fate without a word, while O-Ei frequently visits her sister in the home for the blind, sharing with her the sounds and noises of a busy bridge. Based on Hinako Sugiura’s manga “Sarusuberi”, the anime celebrated its international premiere at the 39th Festival von Annecy. Director Keiichi Hara and screenwriter Miho Maruo, who had already worked together for “Colorful”, won the Audience Award at the same festival in 2011. The team included, among others, Yoshimi Itazu (“The Wind Rises”) as the chief animator and Hiroshi Ono (“A letter to Momo”) as the digital matte artist. (rr)
Voices: Kumiko Asô, Gaku Hamada, Kengo Kôra