“Paprika,” a Japanese anime, is a highly sophisticated work of the imagination, a journey into a labyrinth of dreams and an exploration of the line between dreams and reality. It’s not a film for children, and it’s not even something children would like. It’s challenging and disturbing and uncanny in the ways it captures the nature of dreams – their odd logic, mutability and capacity to hint at deepest terrors.
Great film although I didn’t find it quite as masterful as Kon’s previous films Millenium Actress and Tokyo Godfathers. Paprika was a bit too loud for my taste although I may be alone with my opinions here. Nevertheless, I ended up seeing it theatrically twice. As usual with Kon’s films the soundtrack is terrific.
US trailer: PAPRIKA | A FILM BY SATOSHI KON | A SONY PICTURES CLASSICS RELEASE
Pictures: Bilder – Papurika (2006) – Movies – OutNow
edit: typo
Some music from the film (by Susumu Hirasawa):
Susumu Hirasawa - The Girl inByakkoya - YouTube
- YouTube
Another thing. Don’t you feel MPAA is over-reacting again rating this film R? Sure there’s some slightly disturbing content but I don’t really think MPAA care. They’re just rating it R because there’s a couple of seconds of nudity. Idiots.
oh, and btw, now I’ve bought the dvd, too 
This is the first film I’ve ever seen by this director, and I did enjoy it. I need to watch it again, as I watched it on thirds in three separate days, because I’m studying for exams. I enjoyed it, so I’m going to watch it again soon, and hopefully pick up a lot more the second time around.
I know what you mean about it being very loud, but I personally enjoyed that aspect of it. It’s such eye candy, even the poorly lit backgrounds were beautiful. I understand that it may seem like to much, I’ve had those feelings about a lot of movies before, particulalry CGI action movies.
I also agree with you on the rating. I was waiting for something very sexual or violent to take place, and it never happened. It showed some nudity and some vaguely sexual stuff, but overall it was very tame. Plus, the human body, particularly if it is an illustration, really shouldn’t offend any adults, especially when it is not being used in a sexually degrading way for entertainment (which definitely NEVER even remotely happened in this film). The nudity was all very natural and fitting.
I definitely need to watch it again before I give a real review. I enjoyed the visuals, but I know I missed out on the story by watching it so sporadically (which I never do unless I tend to re-watch it anyway).
I also need to check out more of his work!
Ps. I thought the music was stunning! Very pretty.
[quote=“Hung Fist”]
Another thing. Don’t you feel MPAA is over-reacting again rating this film R? Sure there’s some slightly disturbing content but I don’t really think MPAA care. They’re just rating it R because there’s a couple of seconds of nudity. Idiots.
[/quote]
The US has a stupid rating system. I don’t think it’s because it is worthy of an R, I think it’s more because they think it can’t be a PG-13 and there’s nowhere else to go except R. I mean, even The Matrix is an R. To me, that doesn’t make much sense. The US needs recommended ratings and more ratings to fill in the large gap.
Haven’t seen Paprika, but I want to. Tokyo Godfathers, Perfect Blue and Millennium Actress are all great films. Satoshi Kon is one of my favourite anime directors working today.