synopses

opening :: atsuko fukushima and katsuhiro otomo :: spectacular animeation, ala disney, sets the stage for the entire film. a giant machine thunders across a barren landscape. as it nears pockets of civilization, the mechanical behemoth transforms into a dazzling high-tech light show complete with thousands of miniature ballerinas and musicians.

star light angel :: hiroyuki kitazume :: set amid the backdrop of a futuristic "disneyland," a touching, bittersweet romance is played out between a young, impressionable co-ed and an android entertainer. the film drives to a powerful conclusion as the young lovers must join forces to battle a monstrous mechanical demon.

cloud :: mao lamdo :: inspired by his book, "snow and the young boy," mao lamdo combines new age sensibilities and delicately detailed drawings in this subtle fable. transforming the young boy of his story into a quiet, reflective robot, lamdo's film has a strange, almost hypnotic cosmetic appeal.

deprive :: hidetoshi ohmori :: a classic tale of good versus evil, the epitome of japanese adventure animation. bold, colorful, and exotic, ohmori has distilled the essence of nearly two generations of japanese animation history in one powerful science fiction collage.

franken's gears :: kouji morimoto :: an atmoshpereic variation on the classic "mad scientist creates life in a laboratory" story. only this time dr. frankenstein has opted for gears and servo motors over flesh and blood. wickedly witty and magnificently realized, this gem stands as a perfect parable to those who dream of directing destiny.

presence :: yasuomi umetsu - a beautifully produced and thought-provoking tale of missed opportunities and unrequited love. umetsu's story deals with a sensitive inventor's dilemma after creating a beautiful android with a mind of her own. haunting and sophisticated, it clearly shows animation as a serious adult storytelling medium.

a tale of two robots :: hiroyuki kitakubo :: a satirical tale set in a fictional 19th centry japan. the story revolves around the efforts of "the world's greatest genius" to conquer what he believes to be a mysterious, treasure-laden nation with his diabolical mechanical inventions. it is up to a gang of local kids to foil his evil plans and save the day.

nighmare :: takashi nakamura :: blend the "night on bald mountain" sequence from FANTASIA with the "legend of sleepy hollow" section of ICHABOD & MR. TOAD and the result would wind up being quite close to nakamura's high energy delirium as offered in this outrageous animated film. it proves to be wild, unpredictable, and captivating.

closing :: atsuko fukushima and katsuhiro otomo :: conclusion of storyline developed from the opening sequence.

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