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Paprika (15) + introduction

Anime's Human Machines

Paprika

Paprika is a film about dreams – the ones we talk about, the ones we think we can keep to ourselves and the ones exposed by a new technology that allows others to enter and even control our dreams.

When glacially beautiful scientist Atsuko creates an alter ego for her secret dream therapy work, she’s Paprika – feisty, fearless and fifteen years younger. If the technology that enables the work fell into the wrong hands, the outcome could be fatal. Then it’s stolen. As reality begins to unravel, Atsuko’s team and one of her patients have to put things right.

A dazzling visual experience wrapped around a densely layered story, the film is based on a novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui, one of the director’s favourite authors. Kon and Tsutsui both have minor voice roles. It was the last film Kon completed, and its dreamlike beauty, energy and optimism stand as a fitting memorial to the gifted artist who died in 2010 of pancreatic cancer.

Japan 2006 Dir Satoshi Kon 87 min Digital presentation

Screening in Japanese with English subtitles

Sasakawa Foundation
The Japan Foundation logo - a purple butterfly
Japan-UK Season of Culture
anime of cityscape containing shop signs in chinese characters

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Luís Azevedo (aka Beyond the Frame) looks at the way anime presents and builds cities on screen.

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Barbican Cinema 1

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

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