"Summer of the Kappa" is the first animated film to be nominated for the "31st Japan Academy Awards" after Spirited Away.
Kappa is a legendary creature in Japanese mythology, with the beak of a bird, the limbs of a frog, the body of a monkey and the shell of a turtle, like a synthesis of many animals. Legend has it that his weakness is the dish above his head, and if he tricks the kappa into bending over and makes the water in the saucer above his head run out of water, he will lose all his energy. Kappa is a spirit in the water, worshipped by the people as a river god, and there is also a theory that the kappa is the messenger of the water god, made of frost descended by the water god. (from Baidu)
Nearly 2.2 hours of animation, several tears, deeply like the natural scenery, healing music (when I write this article I play the music of the film's album), warm plot and revealed human and natural philosophy.
"What does fear bring?"
The first act of the opening scene strikes at people's hearts and hearts in every way. The quiet night with fireflies contrasts sharply with the sudden light of sword and blood.
In the middle of the night, Kappa's father pleaded with the samurai lords not to turn their habitat into farmland, and prepared large carp to be delivered at the opportunity, just to keep the kappa shelter.
The frog-shaped kappa that suddenly appeared in the middle of the night that could speak human words has frightened the samurai adults a lot, the old kappa's request is even more considered offensive, the fear of the monster and the fear of facing the loss of status, the samurai from time to time imagine that the kappa has many of his comrades lurking around to launch an attack, this imaginary fear makes the samurai adult wave a large knife in his hand and slash at the old kappa, the old kappa is split in half and bloody, the old kappa's child holds the carp aside, and the samurai adult also runs to cut, The earthquake caused the little kappa to escape. The samurai shouted in the face of the earth cracking caused by the earthquake, "Ghosts, there are ghosts!" He did not know that ghosts only existed in his heart.
Originally a weak request from a small creature on the verge of homelessness with unfettered power, human beings have enlarged themselves into a fierce monster to devour themselves, not knowing that the fear in their hearts is the giant monster that extends its claws to innocent beings.
The samurai who is afraid in his heart only has a big sword, so he defends his majesty and life with a big sword, and the person who is at peace has love and compassion in his heart, so love and compassion are his gentle weapons.
I can't help but ask, what is the weapon in our hearts?
"Stumbling Stones"
Uehara Washinichi was always tripped by the same stone by the river, and he was so annoyed that he pulled the stone out of the dirt and threw it violently against the wall, unexpectedly dropping a fossil. It was later discovered that it was a kappa inside. Therefore, the stone that tripping on yourself may be the surprise and treasure brought to you by heaven.
Kang Yi named the kappa Xiaogu and began one story after another.
"Speak with Brain Waves"
The sound of rain in the middle of the night woke up Kappa Xiaogu, Xiaogu wanted to go out, and could not open the door by all means, and uncle Dog used brain waves to speak and taught Xiaogu to open the door. With so many species on Earth, it seems that only humans can communicate in a rich language and use "speaking" to express, are other creatures relying on brain waves? Precisely because brain waves represent what the mind thinks, it cannot be artificially modified and disguised, so it is direct and real. Language can embellish false minds.
After communicating with the little boy he met in the middle of the night, Xiao Gu told Kang Yi not to look for other kappa anymore, and Kang Yi said what if the little boy lied to you? Little Gollum replied: Our partners do not lie, only humans do not talk about credit.
Reminds me of Amir Khan's "I Drop a God", pk from an alien planet told the female reporter Jagu that the people on their planet communicate by heart, do not need to speak, and everyone's expression is transparent.
Why can't we communicate with brainwaves? Was it evolution in which this ability was withdrawn?
"What is Freedom"
The kappa who was going out to play in the water said to the dog uncle: Do you want to go? I'll untie the rope for you.
Uncle: No, this family has been kind to me, this can't be solved.
XiaoGu: Isn't there no freedom then?
Uncle: It's not like that, it's because of its protection that I can have food to eat, and I'm much better than those stray dogs. You must be well and come back, this family is not a bad person.
Cuckoo: I understand, because here you are.
Dogs are bound by ropes, and in addition to being limited in movement, the mind is also limited by the self.
Later, on the way to escape with Xiaogu, Xiaogu untied the collar and rope around his neck, relieving the crisis of losing his freedom and life by being caught by humans, and also saving himself. Helping others to untie themselves is also giving yourself greater freedom. In the play, there are many media that surround the Kang family, staring at the Kang family with kappa 24 hours a day, wanting to shoot the earth-shattering news at the first time, carrying the camera can not go anywhere, binding others but also bound themselves.
"Back to your own paradise"
Kang Yi took Xiao Gu to Tono to look for other kappa, jumping into the small river pond on the way to swim as if back to his own paradise, his nature was released, free to play in the water, only the wind in his ears and the wandering water.
Chased to the point where there was nowhere to escape, Gollum spent a great deal of effort climbing to the top of the towering tower, taking his father's stump to find a safe place without humans. But standing at the top of the tower and looking around, there are human nests everywhere.
People, who always say that they have lost paradise, are actually exploring other people's paradise for too long, forgetting that they have paradise themselves.
Withdraw your eyes and let go of other people's paradise, you can return to your own paradise, and you will also gain true freedom.
"Spotlight"
The influx of attention does not necessarily bring the shining effect of the spotlight, but it is a trouble in life, just like the Kang family is surrounded by the media, so annoyed that they can only pinch the small bubbles of plastic film at home to reduce stress.
The media carried a cannon-like camera and started to bombard the parties until the other party's body was exhausted. If it is a positive development and propagation with good intentions, the cannon-like camera will immediately transform into a big sun, only light and warmth. If you're a media person, do you choose to be a cannon or choose to be the sun?
Many people were originally walking, enjoying the scenery, going to various destinations, when Xiaogu appeared, they forgot what they were going to do, and chased all the way, just to chase after the "ten million".
"Humans always change"
Uncle Dog looked at Kang Yi, who was excited about going to TV, and said to Xiao Gu: Humans always change. At the same time, I also remembered its former owner, from a very good playmate to a dog who was bullied outside, and finally the dog could not stand the constant beatings and fled.
However, when the dog died, I still thought of the understanding of the former owner and the beautiful scene of playing on the hillside when I was a child.
"Always going to change", it can be better or worse, will you choose to get better or worse? Xiaogu lived in the Kang family for a while, if there is no kindness and respect, it will not entrust itself to them, the Kang family respects Xiaogu's life, gives him the most suitable environment as much as possible, and finally endures deep reluctance, sending Xiaogu to the nature suitable for its survival, where there is a bright light in the depths of the forest.
"Is it really a disaster?"
The little gollum climbing to the top of the tower was exhausted, the small dish above his head (that is where the kappa sucked water, if there was no water, it would be weak) had dried up, and just when he wanted to give up himself, a dark cloud gathered in the air, and the dragon flew in the clouds, and then it began to rain, and the life-saving rain also made the little goo hope for rebirth.
Dark clouds, dragons, thunder and lightning... Human beings see terror and even disaster as coming, but isn't it natural that wind, rain, thunder and lightning, nature knows very well which beings need to be saved.
"Make a Wish"
XiaoGu's wish in the depths of the forest: O patron saint here, please allow my father and I to temporarily shelter in your land, and to catch some fish to survive. Compared with the wish that we want wealth, beauty, fame and fortune, it is simply simple.
Do we ask for money, love, health, fame and fortune, and all kinds of things. Or do you ask for fear? If there is no fear in the heart, do you still need to ask?
"Man and Monster"
Gollum is sent to the Lizard Monster, and when it first sees the Lizard Monster, it is humanoid, and it tells Little Gollum that if you want to hide your eyes and ears, it is safest to become a human.
Ah, if there is a mutation, as long as there is evil in people's hearts, it will become a monster, and whether there will be a monster mobilization every day.
In fact, where there are monsters, it is only the evolution of human beings themselves, even if there are monsters, compared with the inner monsters of people, they are also small witches.
"Sleep Well"
Finally, with a song by the little boy, may everyone sleep well every day.
"The flowers are blooming, the wind is blowing, the snowflakes are fluttering, everything is gone, but I am here, and why are you here?" Sleep, sleep, sleep well at all times, only tomorrow will really come. O god who insists on righteousness, now, sleep, sleep, sleep. ”