Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: SUZUME [Berlinale 2023 - Berlin, Germany]
The aspect of an almost journeyman anime is based in the notions of a hero but building up to a sense of completion. "Suzume" [Competition] is an ambitious film from Makoto Shinkai and is an interesting diatribe of the consequence of family and loyalty while still mired in an idea of traditional values and masks. The film follows Suzume, a 17 year student who witnesses an earthquake event on her small island which is more a gate for a type of ancient monster to enter the world. The basis of a protector (Souta -- who happens to be close to her age) creates the pining basis to motivate her to take on the quest but Suzume is looking for her own identity. She lost her mother when she was very young only be to raised by her aunt who seemingly has her own crisis of identity. While the set up seems a little melodramatic and slow at first, the film is anything but as it gets going. The earthquakes happen all over Japan and nobody but the two of them (Suzume & Souta) can see it.
The set pieces also take place in abandoned spots which have memories of their own including abandoned villages and amusement parks so the way the action is set is based on those mechanics which makes for interesting uses of space. Director Shinkai understands how to make the sequences work, adding in a bit of humor while keeping the camera fluid (but not too much(. While giving away a little, Souta is transformed into chair by an almost Alice In Wonderland character who propels the story but also the geography. This interspersal adds a bit of the physical comedy which offsets what could be interpreted as trauma. There are some great bits to the film that are both heartful but also with just the right pacing.
The film is not trying to be lyrical but sometimes it moves in that direction on its own. The sensibility of this young girl of 17 just being able to interact with people and travel on her own seems a little far fetched since you would think there would be some safeties involved. As Suzume gets deeper into her journey, the impact of the earthquakes and their meanings become more pronounced and connected, especially as they move from rural to city and the back again. Shinkai understands that the transference of character has to be pronounced enough but also subtle so the intention of why Suzume is on this journey is not lost. Her happiness though seems a little too connected to the idea of a man in her life. And yet as the film moves towards the conclusion it is also about sacrifice. But the real takeaway and the most affecting part is a realization of her duality and the evolution moving forward that while traumatic allows her to assume her potential (even if it is not fully yet evident to her). B+
By Tim Wassberg
